Method, system, and apparatus for providing content, functionalities, and services in connection with the reception of an electromagnetic  signal

ABSTRACT

The present application generally relates to a method, system, and apparatus for providing content, functionalities, and services in connection with the reception of an EM signal from other apparatuses, emitting objects, access points or base stations. In certain implementations, content, functionalities, and services can be provided in connection with positioning data. In other implementations, content, functionalities, and services can be provided in connection with permanent or recurring location-based networking sessions and/or location data. In many other implementations, devices, content, functionalities, and services are autonomous and independent from any geographical area and/or session area and/or location data.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application generally relates to a method, system, andapparatus for providing content, functionalities, and services inconnection with the reception of an EM signal. In certainimplementations, local content, functionalities, and services can beprovided in connection with temporary location-based networkingsessions. In other implementations, local content, functionalities, andservices can be provided in connection with permanent or recurringlocation-based networking sessions and/or location data. In severalother implementations, content, functionalities, and services areindependent of any predefined geographical areas and/or session areasand/or location data.

BACKGROUND

The teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 9,092,898 titled “Method, System AndApparatus For The Augmentation Of Radio Emissions”, U.S. Pat. No.8,880,101 titled “Method and apparatus for managing attributes andfunctionalities of predetermined geographical areas”, U.S. Pat. No.9,264,874 titled “Method And Apparatus For Location Based NetworkingSessions”, U.S. Pat. No. 9,286,610 titled “Method and apparatus for aprincipal-agent based mobile commerce”, all having the same inventor asthe present patent application, are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

The teachings of Pat. App. U.S. 20160005233 A1 titled “Method, System,And Apparatus For Optimizing The Augmentation Of Radio Emissions”, U.S.20150065176 A1 titled “Method and Apparatus for Managing Attributes andFunctionalities of areas Exhibiting Density of Users”, Pat. App. U.S.20150094097 A1 titled “Method, System, and Apparatus For Location-basedMachine-assisted Interactions”, Pat. App. U.S. 20150199547 A1 titled“Method, System, and Apparatus for Adapting the Functionalities of aConnected Object Associated with a User ID”, Pat. App. U.S. 20140074874A1 titled “Method, System, and Apparatus For Location-basedMachine-Assisted Interactions” all having the same inventor as thepresent patent application, are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

The teachings of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,819,919, 6,542,750, 7,813,741,6,542,748, 6,539,232, 6,542,749, 8,150,439 and 6,549,768 areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The teachings of “GroupUs: Smartphone Proximity Data and HumanInteraction Type Mining” (Digital Object Identifier: 10.1109/ISWC.2011.28) are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in a document, which isincorporated by reference, is inconsistent or contrary to the definitionof that term provided herein, the definition of that term providedherein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does notapply.

A geofence is a virtual perimeter for a real-world geographic area. Ageofence can be generated as in a radius around a point location such asa bar or a restaurant. A geofence can be a predefined set of boundariesconnecting points expressed by latitude and longitude. Geofencing hasbeen made possible especially by the introduction of GPS (GlobalPositioning System) technology and the miniaturization of electroniccomponents that have made the locationing functionality a standardfeature in Mobile Phones and portable electronics in general (UserEquipment or UE). Geofencing can be implemented via many otherlocalization techniques, both indoor and outdoor.

In this application the term ‘geofencing’ or “geofence” is not limitedto virtual fences provided by storing one or more geographical locationsand parameters that can be retrieved and then compared to actuallocations obtained by using GPS positioning, but shall include all thepossible techniques that may serve the purpose of defining ageographical area by using digital or electronic means, such as forexample the radio horizon that defines the range of a radio carrier suchas, e.g., 3G, 4G, WLAN, Bluetooth and RF-ID around a fixed or mobilepoint. Some of these techniques are discussed in detail in the patentsand applications incorporated by reference, in particular, U.S. Pat. No.9,264,874, U.S. 20150065176, U.S. 20150094097 and U.S. 20140074874.

Geofencing technology can trigger or inhibit functionalities oflocation-aware apparatuses. For example, as described in U.S. Pat. No.7,813,741 titled “System and Method for Initiating Responses toLocation-Based Events” a system may provide a response to one or morelocation-based services applications to provide location-based services,such as email, instant messaging, paging and the like.

A social network is a social structure made up of a set of actors (suchas individuals or organizations) and the ties between these actors. Oneof the means by which these actors can communicate nowadays is theInternet and there are many websites providing a common platform wherethese actors can interact. A social network provides a way of analyzingthe structures of social entities.

LinkedIn, for example, is a social networking website for people inprofessional occupations. It is mainly used for professional networking.LinkedIn is just one of the many different social networks. Many othersocial networks exist and they are targeting different facets of humandesire for interaction. Some popular social networks are Badoo,Facebook, Foursquare, Friendster, Google+, Myspace, Habbo, Flixter,Flickr, Douban, Myheritage, Meetup, and Classmates.com. Some of thesesocial networks have “group forming” capability among its members.

Augmented reality is the integration of digital information with theuser's environment in real-time. Unlike virtual reality, which createsan artificial environment, augmented reality uses the existingenvironment and overlays new information on top of it. Today, Googleglass, heads-up displays in car windshields and Microsoft Hololenses areperhaps the most well-known consumer AR products. This technology isused in many industries including healthcare, public safety, gas andoil, tourism and marketing.

Augmented reality apps are sometimes written in special 3D programs thatallow the developer to tie animation or contextual digital informationin the computer program to an augmented reality “marker” in the realworld. When a computing device's AR app or browser plug-in receivesdigital information from a known marker, it begins to execute themarker's code and layer the corresponding image or images.

A radio direction finder (RDF) is a device for finding the direction, orbearing, to a radio source. The act of measuring the direction is knownas radio direction finding or sometimes simply direction finding (DF).Using two or more measurements from different locations, the location ofan unknown transmitter can be determined; alternately, using two or moremeasurements of known transmitters, the location of a vehicle can bedetermined. RDF is widely used as a radio navigation system, especiallywith boats and aircraft.

RDF systems can be used with any radio source, although the size of thereceiver antennas is a function of the wavelength of the signal; verylong wavelengths (low frequencies) require very large antennas and aregenerally used only on ground-based systems. These wavelengths arenevertheless very useful for marine navigation as they can travel verylong distances and “over the horizon”, which is valuable for ships whenthe line-of-sight may be only a few tens of miles. For aerial use, wherethe horizon may extend to hundreds of miles, higher frequencies can beused, allowing the use of much smaller antennas.

Direction-finding techniques related to wearable equipment is describedin App. U.S. 20160005233 and patent U.S. Pat. No. 9,092,898 by the sameinventor as the present application. They are incorporated by reference.The techniques described, in some implementations, use antennas havingasymmetric patterns. The paper “Design of U-Shape Microstrip PatchAntenna for Bluetooth Application at 2.4 GHz” published on theInternational Journal of Innovation and Scientific Research, ISSN2351-8014 Vol. 6 No. 1 Aug. 2014, at pp. 92-96 describes one of theseantennas with asymmetric radiation pattern. It is herein incorporated byreference.

An indoor positioning system (IPS) is a system to locate objects orpeople inside a building using radio waves, magnetic fields, acousticsignals, or other sensory information collected by mobile devices. Thereare several commercial systems on the market, but there is no standardfor an IPS system.

IPS systems nowadays use different technologies, including distancemeasurement to nearby anchor nodes (nodes with known positions, e.g.,WiFi access points), magnetic positioning, dead reckoning. They eitheractively locate mobile devices and tags or provide ambient location orenvironmental context for devices to be sensed. The localized nature ofan IPS has resulted in design fragmentation, with systems making use ofvarious optical, radio, or even acoustic technologies.

System designs usually take into account that at least three independentmeasurements are needed to find a location (e.g. trilateration). Tocompensate for stochastic errors there is usually a method for reducingthe error budget significantly. The system might include informationfrom other systems to cope with physical ambiguity and to enable errorcompensation.

SUMMARY

Various aspects of examples of the invention are set out in the claims.

The patent application discloses a considerable number of possibleembodiments and variations of techniques including direction findingapplications and location-based-services functionalities. In certainimplementations, the techniques can be implemented as standalone; inother implementations, they can be implemented in a synergiccombination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the presentinvention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a possible embodiment of one aspect of the inventionin which one or more hardware equipment operates in connection with oneor more locations and/or predefined areas.

FIG. 2 A represents a possible embodiment of an aspect of the inventionwhere a predetermined constellation of asymmetric antennas activelyemits an EM signal.

FIG. 2 B represents a possible data string emitted by one or moreantennas.

FIG. 3 is a non-limiting example of handheld user equipment that isusing embodiments of a direction-based technique based on a plurality ofantennas. Some of the same concepts explained with reference to thisfigure can be reapplied to wearable equipment.

FIG. 4 represents a schematic representation of an embodiment of userequipment such as User Equipment 160, 165, 175 or 155. It may alsorepresent, in some implementations, a schematic representation ofadministrator equipment since I/O user Interface 450 can provide thefunctionalities that will be discussed with reference to certainembodiments. Not all the modules are needed to implement some of theembodiments described in the application.

FIG. 5A represents a possible embodiment of the invention forimplementing directional-based navigation.

FIG. 5B represents a possible embodiment of the invention forimplementing directional-based navigation.

FIG. 6 is a non-limiting example of a method, equipment, and apparatusfor adapting the functionalities of UEs to various parameters, profiles,and criteria.

FIG. 7 describes a method for implementing an embodiment of the presentinvention that is based on the active transmission of the constellationof antennas.

FIG. 8 describes methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementingvarious embodiments of the present invention that are based on using aconstellation of antennas to inform and/or control a movable objectand/or user equipment.

FIG. 9 describes various methods, systems, and apparatuses forimplementing various embodiments of the present invention that are basedon using a constellation of antennas to inform and/or control movableobjects and/or user equipment.

FIG. 10 describes various methods, systems, and apparatuses forimplementing various embodiments of the present invention that are basedon using a constellation of antennas to seamlessly inform, and/or pairand/or control connected objects and/or user equipment.

FIG. 11 describes various methods, systems, and apparatuses forimplementing various embodiments of the present invention that are basedon using a constellation of antennas to seamlessly inform and/or controland/or pair connected objects and/or user equipment when said userequipment is wearable equipment.

FIG. 12 describes at least a method for implementing several embodimentsof the present invention that are based on the reception by aconstellation of antennas of an EM signal associated with a connectedobject. Said method can be enabled by instructions stored on one or morememory modules.

FIG. 13 describes at least a method for implementing several embodimentsof the present invention to influence the relative position of twoobjects. Said method can be enabled by instructions stored on one ormore memory modules.

FIG. 14 describes at least a method for implementing several embodimentsof the present invention to enable directional navigation. Said methodcan be enabled by instructions stored on one or more memory modules.

FIG. 15 describes a simplified model of three antenna glasses and amodel graph defining exemplary sectors over a 360 degrees angle.

FIG. 16 describes real measurements for RSSI values detected at thethree antennas over three channels.

FIG. 17 describes the data collected on a bidimensional space for onechannel.

FIG. 18 represents some exemplary Hidden Markov Model parameters.

FIG. 19 represents four schemes for the observed probability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the present invention and its potentialadvantages are understood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 14 of thedrawings.

User Equipment is abbreviated sometimes in the application with “UE”.

FIG. 1 describes a possible embodiment of the invention. User Equipment175, 155, 160, 165 can be a mobile phone, a PDA, a laptop, or a tabletor any other wireless mobile device and/or wearable augmented realityequipment such as, for example, User Equipment 155. In certainimplementations, the augmented reality equipment, User Equipment 155, iscapable of connecting with the Internet, directly via Radio Links 140.In other implementations, User Equipment 155 connects to proxyequipment.

User Equipment 155 can be connected e.g., with User Equipment 160 viaRadio Link 146, e.g., a Bluetooth connection, and rely on it for itscommunications with Access Point/Base Station (AP/BS) 135 and ultimatelywith Server 100. In this implementation, the user of UE 155 and UE 160can be the same. The user may wear the wearable glasses and put UE 160in his pocket.

In other implementations, UE 155, 160, 165, 175 can performfunctionalities that do not necessitate wireless connectivity and/orlocation awareness by UEs and/or Session Area 190 and/or NotificationArea 185.

Location 180 is not to be limited or restricted to a central point or apoint of symmetry in a symmetrical geometric figure such as the circlesin FIG. 1 representing Session Area 190 and Notification Area 185. Bothareas may have an asymmetrical shape as defined by geofencing or anothermethod such as a radio horizon for an emitting station. Areas may becentered on a public place, an event place such as a convention or alarge gathering of people sharing a common interest such as the TexasBar Association Annual Meeting, a business place where a meeting mayoccur or a private address. Notification Area and/or Session Area,and/or Location 180 can be predefined or can be the result of someevents such as a concentration of users in a certain location or area.

Session Area 190 can be in at least two different statuses: activestatus and passive status. When in an active status, mobile equipmentpositioned within the zone may be able to “log into” or “check-in” or“join” said location-based networking session. In some implementations,unless UEs is determined to be located within the boundaries of saidactive Session Area 190 the check-in shall, normally, be inhibited.

Notification Area 185 is a zone, usually surrounding Session Area 190(or extending Session Area 190) in which user equipment can be notifiedof many different occurrences such as that a session area is nearby, isactive, has been created, or is scheduled to turn active in the future.Said notification activity can be regulated according to time windowsand statuses. As non-limiting examples, notifications may occur onlyduring daytime (e.g., 08.00 AM-09.00 PM); or only if the session eventzone is scheduled to become active within a predetermined time period,e.g., forty-eight hours; or only until a predetermined time windowbefore the end of the active session marking an event, e.g., thirtyminutes before the end of an active session.

Session Area 190 is represented in FIG. 1 as having a circular shapewith Radius 182 and is centered on Location 180. Session Area 190 is anarea where, in certain implementations, mobile equipment such as UserEquipment 155, 160, and 165 can check-in (manually or automatically) andbe part of a location-based group session event if the position of saidUser Equipment (UE) is determined to be within the boundaries of saidSession Area 190 and if said Session Area 190 is set into an activestatus by the system. In other implementations, a session area centeredon Location 180 may represent and be generated as a consequence of aconcentration of users of a mobile application around Location 180.

An active status for a session area may imply the activation oravailability of predetermined functionalities. Said functionalities maypertain to user equipment or server equipment or other equipment that isassociated in any way to said session area.

Certain session areas may always be in an active status.

Certain session areas may have windows of active and passive statuses.

Certain session areas can be generated according to concentrations ofusers and their associated UE in a certain location when those users aresharing a common attribute.

Certain session areas can be used to enable certain functionalitiesand/or privileges for UEs and their associated users when they arepositioned within a boundary of said session area. Moreover, sessionareas may correspond to places, public or private, that can be sponsoredby an administrator and are used to attract users to those locations.

Certain session areas may be created by the system via an algorithmrunning on Server 100, once a certain concentration of users is detectedby the system. Location 180 can be created automatically by the system,in one location according to various criteria. For example, Location 180can be obtained via various methods by using the positions of UserEquipment 155, 160, 165. Location 180 that can be associated with anactive session area may remain anchored to a location according tovarious criteria. For example, in one implementation, if user Equipment155, 160 and 165 are stationary for at least a period of time T and,e.g., are within a distance of, e.g., two times the length of Radius 182from each other, a Location 180 may be established and calculatedaccording to different methods.

One method to determine Location 180 could be by using the geographicmidpoint, also called the center of gravity or center of mass orcentroid. It is the average coordinate for a set of points on aspherical earth. In this case, the points on spherical earth are thelocations of said User Equipments 155, 160, 165.

Another method can be the center of minimum distance, which is the pointof absolute minimum travel distance. This method does not attempt toequalize the amount of distance traveled from the other points. Thismethod finds the location that minimizes the combined travel distancefrom a set of points on an imaginary spherical earth.

Another method can be the average latitude/longitude, which is simplythe mathematical average of the latitudes and longitudes of a set ofpoints. This is equivalent to finding the midpoint on a flat rectangularprojection map. When the distance between the points is less than 250miles, this method gives a close approximation to the geographicmidpoint.

The concentration of users' pieces of equipment, in one implementation,may create an active session area that can remain active or existaccording to many different criteria.

For example, once a threshold users' density of users belonging to apredetermined group is reached the session area may remain active orexist only if said threshold density of users is maintained. The systemmay verify said condition periodically at intervals of time T. In someimplementations, the threshold will be a minimum number of users withinpredetermined proximity from each other. In other implementations, thesession area centered on the newly created Location 180 may remainactive for a predetermined period. In certain implementations, Location180 may simply mark a temporary concentration of users possessing apredetermined attribute.

In some implementations, Session Area 190 may be used irrespectively ofactive and passive status to perform certain background functions. Theentering or associating within Session Area 190 by a user may serve thepurpose of building up a statistical profile of the physical place thatcan be centered on Location 180, a bar or a restaurant, for example.Said statistical profile may serve the purpose of enabling searches ortriggering notifications.

In certain implementations, once Location 180 has been calculated andpositioned, e.g. via one of the methods described above, Location 180can be relocated and made to correspond with a public place, a privateplace, or the closest location that is sponsored by the system, anadministrator or a client. For example, a public place may pay a fee tohave Location 180 correspond with its business address. In this case,once a certain density of users belonging to a predetermined group isdetermined to be located around said public place, those users thatcontribute to achieving the density threshold may receive an invite tocongregate in a sponsored place. In some implementations, those userswho do not contribute to the threshold density but are withinNotification Area 185 and belong to said predetermined group mightreceive a notification that a Location 180 has been created that isassociated with said concentration of users belonging to saidpredetermined group. In other implementations, if said concentration ofusers is determined to occur nearby a sponsored place, the system mayreport to users the concentration as if it actually occurred at thesponsored place.

In certain implementations, the calculation and creation of Location 180may derive from a concentration of all users of a given mobileapplication above a certain threshold.

In other implementations, the calculation and creation of Location 180may derive from a concentration of a predetermined group of users of agiven mobile application above a certain threshold.

In other implementations, a notification of the availability of apredefined Location 180 (and/or an associated session area) may derivefrom a concentration of a predetermined group of users above a certainthreshold within a predetermined distance from Location 180, e.g.,within Notification Area 185. Location 180 can be, as discussed forcertain implementations, a sponsored location.

The notifications can be different for a different subset of saidpredetermined group of users. Certain users who belong to the subset whocontributes to achieving said threshold density may receive anotification of the availability of a sponsored place that is nearby.Users who are within a notification area that is calculated withreference to a sponsored place may receive a notification that users whobelong to the subset who contributes to achieving said threshold densityare or about to reach the sponsored place. The calculation and creationof Location 180 may derive from a concentration of a group of users ofthe present mobile application above a certain threshold, wherein saidusers share one or more common attributes. A concentration of users canbe calculated, e.g., as a population density or number of pieces ofequipment per unit area or unit volume.

Session Area 190 can be characterized by attributes and functionalities.Attributes pertain, e.g., to qualities of the area such as the densityof a certain typology of users, e.g., users belonging to a particulargroup such as LinkedIn group “IP Lawyers”. Attributes can be real-timeattributes (a “snapshot attribute”) or can be statistical attributes. Asan example of a real-time attribute, if a law firm is currently having aparty in said Session Area 190 a real-time attribute of said area can bethe high density of lawyers belonging to said LinkedIn group of IPLawyers. If a public place positioned in Location 180 becomes the happyhour place where said IP lawyers hang out around 4.00 P.M. every workdayof the week, then Session Area 190 may statistically become the placewhere said group becomes prevalent (established) for said days and timewindow. This is an example of a statistical attribute.

Functionalities can be capabilities of a computer program or applicationrunning on UEs or Server 100 to provide a useful function, e.g., anotification trigger or other useful functionalities as will bediscussed later in the application. Said functionalities can, in certainimplementations, be associated with said Session Area 190 or saidNotification Area 185. For example, User Equipment 175 at time T1 islocated in Notification Area 185. Because of its position withinNotification Area 185 at time T1 and because a certain trigger conditionhas been met and because User Equipment 175 may contain a softwareapplication logged on Memory 430, User Equipment 175 may receive anotification via Radio Link 140 established between User Equipment 175and Access Point/Base Station (APBS) 135. Radio Links 140 representgenerally links between a base station in a cellular network, (or anaccess point in a non-cellular network) and generic user equipment.Access Point/Base Station (APBS) 135 is a generic proxy for an internetconnection gateway. Although throughout the present patent applicationsaid “Radio Link” nomenclature is used unvaryingly, the person skilledin the art will recognize that “Radio Link” can be associated withdifferent kinds of digital signals and purposes for various user piecesof equipment.

In one implementation, said notification functionality may occur becauseat time T1 the presence of User Equipment 155, 160, 165, associated withusers who belong, e.g., to LinkedIn group “IP Lawyers” within SessionArea 190 raises an attribute of the area above a predetermined triggercondition. If the user of User Equipment 175 is associated with the sameLinkedIn group, he may have an interest in being alerted whenevercertain triggers are met and he is within a notification area associatedwith said session area. In other implementations, a user can create agroup, for example a group of friends or a group of users who share acertain interest, for example, “parents of a third-grade class at acertain high school”. The present application, with reference to FIG. 6,will discuss augmentation functionalities. Being part of onepredetermined group of users or the association to one session area mayaffect the augmentation functionality in some implementations.

Many other examples are possible. The person skilled in the art willunderstand that these examples are not limiting. For example, a user canbe interested in being notified about an attribute level pertaining to agroup to which he does not belong to but that has some affinity withbecause of his professional or personal interests. For example, an IPlawyer can be interested in being alerted about the presence of anentrepreneur group who may be in need of his services. In anotherimplementation, said notification can be independent of the NotificationZone 185 and an algorithm running, e.g., in Server 100 can send an SMSor an email or other notifications when a triggering conditionpertaining to a session area's attribute occurs.

In another implementation, an attribute of the session area can be thepresence of a particular user within Session Area 190 at a particularmoment in time. Said user may have an interest in making his presenceknown when he checks-in into Session Area 190. Users can adjust theirprivacy settings. He can allow alerts to be delivered to other users orallow his presence to be unconcealed, even to users who are not withinthe boundaries of the session area. For example, an attorney can use apublic place, e.g., a bar as his informal hangout place and an extensionof his office space. He can do this to meet new prospective clients ininformal settings. A prospective client, who may have an interest inmeeting that particular attorney in an informal environment, may set upa trigger condition so that he will be alerted via an email, SMS orother means when said attorney checks-in into the session area.Prospective clients may also be alerted when they are passing throughNotification Area 185 and a certain user is currently checked-in intoSession Area 190. Alternatively, the user, e.g. an attorney, may set hisprivacy settings so that users, while browsing attributes for a sessionarea, may be able to retrieve his personal details among the people whoare currently checked-in.

For the sake of simplicity, Access Point/Base Station (APBS) 135 in FIG.1 is serving both Session Area 190 and Notification Area 185. Inaddition, Radio Link 140 defines a generic radio link between userequipment, (e.g. 155, 160, 165 and 175) and Access Point/Base Station(APBS) 135. Clearly, said generic Radio Links 140 may convey differentsignals and serve different functions according to different scenarios.

Notification Area 185 can be an area of circular shape centered onLocation 180 having a Radius 181. Many other shapes for the NotificationArea 185 are possible. Notification Area 185 may not overlap withSession Area 190 but can be the area resulting from carving out SessionArea 190 having Radius 182, a circle in this example, from the areahaving Radius 181, also a circle. The person skilled in the art willrealize that many possible alternatives exist to circular shapes and theoverlapping of areas.

A user in Session Area 190 might find desirable receiving an alert thatSession Area 190 has switched into active status, e.g., when he isalready in the session area. In addition, Notification Area 185 may ormay not contain Location 180 that, in certain implementations, mayrepresent a proxy for a fixed physical location where, for example,members of one or more predefined groups, such as the ones representedin FIG. 1 as carrying User Equipment 155, 160 and 165 can choose tointeract, e.g., via a messaging functionality. Said location can be,e.g., a conference room in a company environment, a public place such asa bar or a private household hosting an event.

Notification Area 185, in one implementation, is an area enclosing andextending beyond Session Area 190. User equipment 175, while positionedwithin Notification Area 185, can be notified, for example, that aSession Area 190 exists, or that it is in proximity, or that it is in acertain status (for example that it is in an active status, or that itwill switch to an active status in a period T1), or that it will remainin active status for a residual period T2 or that it will switch to apassive status at time T3.

While within Notification Area 185, a user of User Equipment 175 mayalso be able to browse the users who have already checked-in intoSession Area 190. Said functionality can also be excluded e.g. if UserEquipment 175 is outside of said Notification Zone 185 according tovarious settings. In some implementations, location-based group sessionscan be restricted to members of one or more predetermined groups. Thesegroups can be groups that have formed on social networks such asLinkedIn groups, Meetup groups or Facebook groups and did exist beforethe start of the location-based session event. In some implementations,the groups may just form for attending a particular session event.

In other implementations, some individuals may be given an ad hocpermission to join a specific event or groups associated with a sessionarea.

A group can also be defined by those users who possess a particularpasscode or password that may be necessary to check-in into a sessionarea. For the purpose of this application, the word “group” shall have ageneral meaning. A group can be the whole body of users of a socialnetwork such as LinkedIn or Facebook, or a specific group within one ofthese social networks whether based on professional associations, socialor cultural interests or degrees of separation within the socialnetwork. For example, a group can be the body of users who are either ina first or second-degree connection with a determined user. A group canbe the collection of users of a mobile software application stored onMemory 430 who is logged in via a “Login” and a “Password” wherein saidapplication enables the functionalities described in this patentapplication that pertain to the user equipment.

The scenarios pertaining to being logged in into an active session areacan be numerous. As non limiting examples, the check-in within thesession area or the association from outside the session area may permitthe browsing of a list of other users who have checked-in into thelocation-based session event; it may permit the retrieving of profilesor at least portions of profiles associated with those users who havechecked-in; it may also permit the exchanging of files and the sharingof common media being streamed; it may permit the possibility ofrequesting a face-to-face meeting with other checked-in users or themessaging during or even after the active status has ended according topredetermined settings. Said messaging capability may comprise both“one-to-one” messaging and a chat room type messaging capability.

In one implementation, users who have joined Session Area 190 may beable to contribute to a stream of a crowd generated digital mediapertaining to Session Area 190.

The teachings of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/868,270, filed Sep.28, 2015, titled “Method, System, and Apparatus for Providing a MediatedSensory Experience to Users Positioned in a Shared Location” areincorporated by reference.

A Shared Ambiance Apparatus 120, e.g. as the one described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/868,270, can be positioned within SessionArea 190 and can provide audio and video output to users positionedwithin said session area. In certain implementations, Shared AmbianceApparatus 120 may comprise a monitor that receives input from Server100. In other implementations said Shared Ambiance Apparatus 120 mightcomprise any hardware capable of providing sensory input. Said UserEquipment 160, 155, 165 and 175 (if authorized), may contribute contentin the form of, e.g., pictures, videos, songs and commentary associatedwith Session Area 190. Said Session Area 190 and the content generatedor contributed by users who have joined the session area can also beassociated with a temporary event. Server 100 could collectcontributions to the stream of media content generated or contributedduring the event by User Equipment 160, 155, 165, and 175 and facilitateits displaying by said Shared Ambiance Apparatus 120.

The person skilled in the art will understand that many implementationsare possible. In certain implementations, the user equipment that joinedsaid Session Area 190 might receive the same stream of content that isplayed by said Shared Ambiance Apparatus 120. In another implementation,the stream could be personalized for each user equipment.

In certain implementations, the user equipment that joined Session Area190 may receive a preview of the content that is scheduled or proposedto be delivered by Shared Ambiance Apparatus 120 and selections by userswho have joined said session area might influence the stream deliveredby said Shared Ambiance Apparatus 120. For example, indicia of apredetermined number of pictures, videos, songs, or comments that areabout to be played (e.g., the next three songs or pictures or commentsor videos in line and about to be played) can be voted upon by users whohave joined Session Area 190 so that the stream of content is not onlycrowd-generated but also crowd mediated. For example, a user may selectone of a predetermined number of options for an upcoming digital song orany sensory input.

In one implementation, not all users will have the same weight indetermining the crowd-generated content. In certain implementations,certain users may enjoy a preferential status according to a hierarchy.In another implementation, an authority associated with an event or thesession area, may have the means for screening or limit the crowdgenerated content that will be played by said Shared Ambiance Apparatus120. For example, a user who has created an event or is an authorityassociated with said session area may have the capability to veto ordelay or rate certain digital content causing said content or sensoryoutput to be outputted according to a certain hierarchy.

In certain implementations, the streamed content that is generatedand/or mediated can be delivered directly to user equipment, e.g., viaAccess Point/Base Station (AP/BS) 135.

In certain implementations, for professional networking or socialnetworking purposes, Shared Ambiance Apparatus 120 may displayprofessional profiles of users who decide to make portions of theirprofessional or social profile visible by means of said Shared AmbianceApparatus 120. In certain implementations, the profiles may be displayedaccording to different levels of prominence by said Shared AmbianceApparatus 120 according to hierarchical criteria such as, for example, adegree of seniority within the mobile application, a level of “recharge”of the mobile application as will be discussed further in theapplication, a premium status of certain users and/or cumulativepermanence within a session area.

One of the possible scenarios is, for example, a business lounge in anairport. In certain implementations, a user may decide to join a sessionarea that comprises said business lounge. Said user may also activate afunctionality associated with a mobile application, wherein his profilemay become visible via said Shared Ambiance Apparatus 120 in saidbusiness lounge so that other professionals, who are in the samebusiness lounge, may learn of the presence of said user, read a summaryof his professional credentials via said Shared Ambiance Apparatus 120,and/or eventually approach him for a face to face encounter.

In one implementation, a log of all the users who did check-inautomatically or manually into Session Area 190 (joined Session Area190) can be stored on the user equipment or on Server 100 and can beretrieved by authorized users for future usage. Authorized users can be,e.g., other members of the groups who were part of the location-basedgroup session but did not have a chance to interact with all the memberswho were associated with the session area during the time allocated tothe event or during a time window. In another scenario, a user can berestricted to being able to retrieve the list of only those users whowere checked-in at the same time when said user was checked-in. Inanother scenario, those lists can be available only to premiumsubscribers.

The person skilled in the art will recognize that many implementationsare possible using the many different kinds of positioning technologiesand radio carrier's standards that are available. For example, UserEquipment, 155, 160, 165 and 175 may be able to communicate directlywith each other and/or via Server 100 via, e.g., a 3G, 4G, 5G or WIMAXtechnology. These technologies are named cellular radio because of theircapability to hand-over the radio link from cell to cell (base stations)when user equipment is moving. In this implementation, described in FIG.1, digital information from and to User Equipment 155, 160 and 165 canbe communicated via an Access Point/Base Station (AP/BS) 135 to Server100 via Links 140 and Core Network/Internet Cloud 130.

Links 143, 145, 147 and 144 can be radio links or any physical meanscapable of transporting information, including cables. Communicationbetween user equipment can occur via a core network infrastructuresupporting any of the above-mentioned cellular standards but can alsooccur using non-cellular standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetoothtechnology. For example, User equipment 160, 155, and 165 can use anad-hoc Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection to communicate directly without thesupport of a cellular network once a check-in, namely a reporting of aUE within the boundaries of a session area and/or its association to thesession area, has occurred.

Server 100 may store a datagram in Memory 102 comprising a list ofpermanent, one-time only, or recurring session areas events. It mayinclude a Controller 101 capable of comparing information (e.g. alocation) received from or associated with mobile equipment such as UserEquipment 175, User Equipment 155, User Equipment 160 or User Equipment165 with at least some predefined parameters associated with an event.Said parameters and conditions, in one implementation, can be containedinto a datagram on Server 100 into Memory 102. User equipment may querysaid Server 100 every time that data, parameters, and conditions need tobe retrieved.

In another implementation, at least part of said datagram can bedownloaded into user equipment and stored into Memory 431. For example,if the user equipment communicates its position to Server 100, saidServer 100 may send the part of the datagram containing data,parameters, algorithms, and conditions related to events associated withthe surroundings of said position to the requesting user equipment. Inthis case, an application and an algorithm stored into Memory 431 maygenerate alerts and notifications and permit check-ins and otherfunctionalities eliminating the need for continuously pinging Server 100for data.

Location parameters and conditions related to events, session areas,notification areas, and their functionalities and attributes could bestored on Memory 102 into a data structure, via Link 145 and Link 147and Core Network/Internet Cloud 130 by an Administrator. AdministratorEquipment 111 is depicted in FIG. 1 as fixed equipment such as a desktopcomputer. The person skilled in the art will recognize thatAdministrator Equipment 111 is not limited to desktop-type devices butcan also be any mobile or wearable device capable of connecting toServer 100 via an Internet connection. Hardware equipment can beinterchangeable as long as a software application can be stored, usedand retrieved by a user while a login/password function is implemented.Administrator equipment can be used to provide an administrativefunctionality such as the creation of session area and relatedfunctionalities, e.g., the control of equipment such as Shared AmbianceApparatus 120 or Audio/Video Input Apparatus 112.

In some implementations, session areas may not necessitate an eventorganizer. An administrator of the service, not depicted in FIG. 1, maydesignate locations, such as bars or restaurants, as permanent orrecurring session areas and use embodiments of the present invention,e.g., as a tool to facilitate networking or other activities and/orfunctionalities in selected locations.

In certain implementations, Session Area 190 can be a sponsored place sothat the joining of said area will bring some rewards and/or privilegesor simply the capability of using some or all of the functionalities ofa mobile application, e.g., for a certain period. For example, a mobileapplication associated with said sponsored place may need to be“recharged” with “energy” or level points. Said mobile application maybe temporarily disabled or some of its functionalities can be inhibitedor limited unless said user joins, at some point, a sponsored place(e.g., a sponsored session area) to “recharge” the mobile application.The joining may be constrained by the requirement of a UE to be withinthe boundaries of Session Area 190.

For example, after a predetermined period of usage, the mobileapplication may signal that the user needs to join one sponsored placefor the application to continue to function at all or at its fullcapacity. If a user joins a sponsored session area, spends some time ina certain location, or purchases certain services or goods at saidsponsored place (or anywhere else within the sponsored places orcommercial activities in the network) the application may regain itspartial or full functionality.

In another scenario, a number of “points” of a user of the mobileapplication or his or her “user-level” may provide a set of privilegesor priorities. Sometimes a user-level may coincide with loyalty programssuch as e.g., an American Airlines frequent flyer status. A user,according to levels, might have more weight in certain upcomingselections of digital media for Session Area 190. In otherimplementation, a user might benefit from enhanced visibility as in theexample of the airport business lounge described above.

In another implementation, a user could be able to benefit from certainfunctionalities such as the functionalities offered by Audio/Video InputApparatus 112 for the creation of digital content associated to SessionArea 190 and/or Shared Ambiance Apparatus 120. A payment system, asubscription system, a point system, a loyalty system and/or a rewardsystem may regulate hierarchically the usage of said apparatuses.

In certain implementations, a visual indication in the mobileapplication may signal to the user the time remaining for fullfunctioning of said mobile application before said user is invited tojoin a sponsored place to regain a partial or full functionality of saidmobile application.

In another implementation, the mobile application may simply displaylevels or points associated with said mobile application and/or itsassociated user. As discussed, said levels or points may be used, e.g.,to create a hierarchy for functionalities or privileges or visibilitywhen a plurality of users joins the same session area.

In different implementations, some functionality could be independent ofa full-blown association with a session area for the scope of connectingusers who are within its boundaries. Audio/Video Input Apparatus 112could be centered on Location 180 where Location 180 is, for example, afamous touristic attraction such as the Coliseum in Rome or the balconyof Romeo and Juliet in Verona. Users of equipment such as UE 160 and UE165, in the field of view of Audio/Video Input Apparatus 112 may use theapparatus to capture and/or share digital content in these well-knownlocations from a vantage point.

The system may provide users of UE 160 and UE 165 with indicia of thepresence of one or more Audio/Video Input Apparatuses 112. UE 155, UE160 and UE 165 may also receive guidance, via augmented reality-basedindications or other, of a conspicuous spot within the field of view ofAudio/Video Input Apparatus 112. In another implementation, physicalmarkers on the floor may mark said conspicuous spot. In certainimplementations, Augmented Reality Indicia 170 may appear in a videofeed of Audio/Video Input Apparatus 112 so that, for example users of UE160 and/or UE 165 may receive a video feed or a picture where AugmentedReality Indicia 170 appears, e.g., representing a gladiator or a Pokémonstanding close to them when they are within the field of view ofAudio/Video Input Apparatus 112. Said augmented reality can be static ordynamic, representing characters or symbols that are motionless or thatdo appear to move. In certain implementations, the video feed can beshared on social media. In other implementations, Audio/Video InputApparatus 112 can produce pictures with or without augmented realitycontent.

In certain implementations, an algorithm may customize Augmented RealityIndicia 170. The customization may occur in many ways. Said algorithmmay comprise image recognition functionality so that according to theimage that is recognized within the field of view of Audio/Video InputApparatus 112, Augmented Reality Indicia 170 is customized. Parameterssuch as gender, skin color, age, size, motion, number of users withinfield of view and any other data that are captured and recognized bysaid image recognition algorithm can be used as input for thecustomization of one or more Augmented Reality Indicia 170. For example,the algorithm may recognize a white skin female that is within the fieldof view of Audio/Video Input Apparatus 112. Said white skin female mayalso be receiving a video stream via UE 160. Augmented Reality Indicia170 can be determined by the algorithm to represent a white skin Romeocharacter that is blended within the field of view of Audio/Video InputApparatus 112 to position itself in a predetermined position in relationto said white skin female user.

In another implementation, the association of a UE (and a user) withSession Area 190 and/or Audio/Video Input Apparatus 112 may influencethe augmentation functionality. For example, if a profile of a user,stored on Server 100, indicates that he or she is fond of a certainactor or in general, a celebrity, augmentation indicia of that celebritycan be automatically produced. Of course, this is a general concept thatcan be applied across many different augmentation classes.

In another implementation, an algorithm may size Augmented RealityIndicia 170 according to various parameters such as the dimensions ofusers within the field of view of Audio/Video Input Apparatus 112. Incertain implementations, Augmented Reality Indicia 170 may be positionedby said algorithm in the foreground as compared to said white skinfemale that is within the field of view of Audio/Video Input Apparatus112. In other implementations, Augmented Reality Indicia 170 may bepositioned in the background as compared to live images. This mayrequire, e.g., that the algorithm is able to recognize the edges of theimage of said real-life white skin female and be capable ofautomatically cropping those portions of Augmented Reality Indicia 170that are in common with the live image of said white skin female. Thisoperation may convey the feeling that Augmented Reality Indicia 170 hasactually blended into the live feed.

Users of UE that are associated with Audio/Video Input Apparatus 112 maybe able to save and/or share on a social network, videos or picturesthat can be blended with Augmented Reality Indicia 170. The commands forvarious functionalities can be provided by an ad-hoc mobile applicationthat runs on a UE.

Said I/O of said mobile application can provide functionalities such as:

-   -   initiating the capturing of videos or pictures;    -   controlling the spatial orientation of Audio/Video Input        Apparatus 112;    -   controlling the zoom in or zoom out the field of view;    -   selecting one or more Augmented Reality Indicia 170 among a        predetermined selection to be blended with said videos or        pictures; sometimes the available selection can be a premium        selection or a paid selection;    -   controlling, at least in part, one or more Augmented Reality        Indicia 170;    -   discovering one or more available Audio/Video Input Apparatus        112 that are nearby UE via location data;    -   selecting and connecting to one or more available Audio/Video        Input Apparatus 112;    -   receiving augmented indications of markers in the field of view        of Audio/Video Input Apparatus 112 for guidance to users on how        to reach the best scenic spots within the field of view or        within Session Area 190;    -   receiving a video, and/or a picture and/or audio feed that is        generated by Audio/Video Input Apparatus 112.

In one implementation, an administrator of the service may create, e.g.,circular-shaped permanent sessions areas where Location 180 and/or theposition of Audio/Video Input Apparatus 112 coincides with thegeographical coordinates of public places in an aggregator's database.Radius 182 can be relatively small, e.g., one hundred yards or can be aradio horizon radius generated, e.g., by a Wi-Fi or iBeaconradio-emitting apparatus.

In one implementation, said Location 180 and Audio/Video Input Apparatus112 overlap and Session Area 190 may coincide with the area ofavailability of one or more Audio/Video Input Apparatus 112 whileNotification Area 185 coincides with an area where the availability ofthe service is made known.

In one implementation, a user, by means of user equipment, can instantlycreate an event (usually associated with a temporarily active sessionarea) centered on the same location where he is positioned. In someimplementations, if nobody, or a number that is below a predeterminedthreshold, joins or associates with said session area within apredetermined period, since its creation or since the starting of anevent associated with said session area, the event may disappear.

In other implementations, the system may consider various levels ofuser's seniority (or points) to create a hierarchy of privileges increating active session areas in or around the same place at the sametime. For example, certain users may inhibit the creation of events inthe same place or addressing the same audience, at the same time byvirtue of their superior status as discussed above among the users of amobile software application. The limiting and regulating of the numberof session areas that are active at the same time in or around the sameplace can avoid congestion or overloading of information to similarlylocated users or users with similar profiles.

FIG. 1 represents just one of the many possible embodiments of oneaspect of the present invention. In fact, Session Area 190 andNotification Area 185 could overlap or be far away from each other sothat a plurality of different access points or base stations (APBS)could be needed to serve User Equipment 175, 165, 155 and 160 in the twodifferent areas. Moreover, Session Area 190 and notification Area 185could be defined not only by means of geofencing but also by many otherdifferent techniques. For example, the range of the radio communicationlink employed by Access Point/Base Station (APBS) 135 could be a way todefine a circular area around an Access Point/Base Station (APBS) 135.If Access Point/Base Station (APBS) 135 was positioned in Location 180,Radius 182 can be the radio horizon of the physical carrier employed byAccess Point/Base Station (APBS) 135. Said horizon could be definingNotification Area 185 or Session Area 190. The gradient of radio signalstrength could be used for defining different and overlappingconcentrically situated zones. Furthermore, the radio link employed byAccess Point/Base Station (APBS) 135 could be of many different types,e.g. Wi-Fi, GSM, WCDMA, LTE, CDMA, RF-ID, and Bluetooth, just to cite afew non-limiting examples. A possible example concerns the usage of aWi-Fi access point to define a session area. Memory 102 may store adatagram of network names (SSID) associated with various locations suchas Wi-Fi SSID of public places such as bars or restaurants or lounges.When user equipment is in range of the Wi-Fi network and the SSID isrecognized as an entry in the database, the system may then allow thechecking-in into the active session area. Multiple techniques can becombined, for example, the above technique can be combined with a GPScheck or a triangulation check from multiple base stations.

In some implementations, the location can be provided by iBeacontechnology. An iBeacon represents a low-powered transmitter thatutilizes Bluetooth low energy (BLE) proximity sensing. In a simplifiedform, an iBeacon transmitter performs the following functions: 1)communicate an ID code to a receiver apparatus and 2) provide means forsaid receiving apparatus to determine its distance from said iBeaconemitting source. An iBeacon transmits a “Here I am” type of signal fromits current location. Such “Here I am” signals can be transmittedoutwardly from the iBeacon as far as only a few centimeters to over 10meters away. iBeacon signals are comprised of a Universally UniqueIdentifier (UUID), which can be used to distinguish what softwareapplication may “see” the iBeacon, as well as major and minor values.These major and minor values are placeholders for the developers tocharacterize—as they see fit—information about the iBeacons. In onecommercial example, the major values may identify a product type orclass and the minor values may identify a specific product individually.For example, in a retail setting, these different sets of identificationcodes may be used by the retailer to identify a plurality of iBeaconswithin a single retail store location (i.e. via the iBeacon's majorvalues) or to identify a specific iBeacon within said retail location(i.e. via the iBeacon's minor values).

FIG. 2 A represents one of the possible embodiments of a novelfunctionality for a UE that is related to direction-finding capabilitiesand/or pairing capability. By “pairing”, we mean the temporary orpermanent associating of two or more hardware apparatuses so that theperformance of certain functionalities involving that hardware isfacilitated.

The person skilled in the art will understand that said functionalitycan be synergistically and advantageously integrated with a session areaas will be discussed, e.g., with reference to FIG. 6. It can also be astandalone functionality that can be implemented independently from anysession area, geofences, and/or the need for a position datum.

The teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 9,092,898 titled “Method, System, andApparatus for the Augmentation of Radio Emissions” and the teachings ofPat. App. U.S. 20160005233 A1 titled “Method, System, And Apparatus forOptimizing the Augmentation of Radio Emissions” are incorporated byreference. These references describe a solution to determine when anaugmented reality apparatus is keeping an emitting object within a fieldof view. The solution described in the abovementioned references relieson the comparison between the signals received by at least two or moreantennas having asymmetrical radiation patterns such as dipole antennas.In certain implementations, User equipment such as User Equipment 155 orUE 160 may join a session area and gain access to data associated withemitting objects that are also associated with said session area usingthe solution described. In other implementations, User Equipment 155 mayaccess information associated to emitting objects independently from thejoining of any session area as described, e.g., in the teachings of U.S.Pat. No. 9,092,898.

In some implementations, it could be advantageous to be able todiscriminate when an emitting object (a certain originating UE forexample) is trying to deliver information that is addressed to anotherUE by aiming at said another UE. With reference to FIG. 2 A, theoriginating UE is User Equipment 155 and the addressee UE is UserEquipment 160.

In this example, there is no constraint for UE to be augmented realityequipment, wearable equipment or head-mounted display equipment, as thissolution can be applied also when the transmitting hardware is handheldequipment such as UE 165.

In a possible embodiment, two linear dipole antennas can be embeddedwithin the frame of UE 165, for example, a hand-held smartphone whereeach antenna is capable of transmitting an electromagnetic (EM) signal.

In another embodiment that is represented in FIG. 2 A, at least twoantennas can be mounted on eyewear. As discussed in U.S. Pat. No.9,092,898, dipole antennas exhibit a gain pattern that is a toroid. Saidtoroid is symmetrical around said dipole antennas. As the person skilledin the art knows, the gain is highest at the right angles to the dipole,dropping off to a minimum value on the antenna's axis.

As shown in FIG. 2 A, Front Antenna 257 can be embedded in a frontportion of UE 155, a Right Dipole Antenna 258 may be embedded within orintegrated along a right side of UE 155, and a Left Dipole Antenna 259can be embedded within or integrated along a left side UE 155.

All three antennas can be positioned along Axis 226, 227, and 225.

In this example, all three antennas exhibit radiation patterns shaped astoroids: Radiation Pattern 220, Radiation Pattern 230, and RadiationPattern 210. The person skilled in the art will understand that antennascan exhibit a different radiation pattern without affecting the generalinventive concept behind the invention as long as said radiation patternexhibits at least some asymmetry on at least one plane. The perfectlytoroidal pattern can be altered by using Radio Wave Absorber 240.

Electromagnetic absorbers are specifically chosen or designed materialsthat can inhibit the reflection or transmission of electromagneticradiation. For example, this can be accomplished with materials such asdielectrics combined with metal plates spaced at prescribed intervals orwavelengths. The particular absorption frequencies, thickness, componentarrangement and configuration of the materials also determinecapabilities and uses.

Generally, there are two types of absorbers: resonant absorbers andbroadband absorbers. The resonant absorbers are frequency-dependentbecause of the desired resonance of the material at a particularwavelength. Different types of resonant absorbers are the Salisburyscreen, the Jaumann absorber, the Dallenbach layer, crossed gratingabsorbers, and circuit analog (CA) absorbers. Broadband absorbers areindependent of a particular frequency and can, therefore, be effectiveacross a broad spectrum.

In some implementations, antennas of UE 155, namely Front Antenna 257,Right Dipole Antenna 258, Left Dipole Antenna 259, can transmitcontemporaneously or according to a predetermined schedule, one or moreEM signals that are received by UE 160. In a first implementation, UE160 may incorporate an omnidirectional receiving and/or transmittingantenna. The person skilled in the art will understand that this is asimplification and that the invention can function by means of one ormore antennas that are not omnidirectional.

A person skilled in the art will understand that if a user is pointingRight Dipole Antenna 258 and Left Dipole Antenna 259 toward UE 160,because the gain of those dipoles will be at a minimum along Axis 226and Axis 227, the signal received from Right Dipole Antenna 258 and LeftDipole Antenna 259 by UE 160 will be minimum. Conversely, since the gainof Front Dipole Antenna, 257 will be at a maximum since Axis 225 isperpendicular to an imaginary line connecting UE 155 with UE 160, thesignal received by the omnidirectional antenna in UE 160 from FrontDipole Antenna 257 will be at its maximum.

The person skilled in the art will understand that a comparison of thesequence of signals received from the antennas of UE 155 by UE 160 at amoment in time will indicate if UE 155 is aiming at UE 160 and mayindicate that a predetermined message or command is intended for UE 160.In certain implementations, the signal emitted by the antennas isemitted according to a time-division multiplexing scheme. For example,an iBeacon signal can be emitted during adjacent periods in around-robin fashion by two, three or more antennas in UE 155.

For example, first Right Dipole Antenna 258 may send an iBeacon datastring. Sequentially, Front Dipole Antenna 257 may send the same or arelated iBeacon string. Then again, sequentially Left Dipole Antenna 259may send the same or a related iBeacon string. A comparison of the RSSIstrength of those strings, as sequentially received by one or moreantennas at UE 160, will indicate if UE 155 is aiming at UE 160 and ifthe message or command from UE 155 is ultimately directed to UE 160.

In certain implementations, the sequence of RSSI values received by UE160 may give indications of the angle that Antenna 258 is forming withAxis 280.

In one implementation, a “relationship” between consecutive strings ofdata transmitted may consist of some mathematical relationship betweenthose data so to be able to check the integrity of the data received.The literature is ripe with telecommunication techniques to check theintegrity of data. Some of these techniques are described in the book“Industrial Communication Technology Handbook, Second Edition” ISBN-13:978-1482207323. By knowing the sequence of the transmitting antennas, itis also possible to resolve the 180 degrees ambiguity that is createdwhen the antennas of UE 155 transmit in sequence. For example, it ispossible to standardize the system so that the first transmittingantenna is always, for example, Antenna 258 and then, e.g., in turn 280and 259. It is also possible to make sure that Antenna 258 is positionedto the right side of UE by means of sensors or by design of the userequipment.

In certain implementations, an iBeacon signal transmitted by the threeantennas, and described in FIG. 2 B, is the same. In otherimplementations, it can be different and can carry an identifierindicating which of the three antennas is transmitting which datastring.

In some implementations, the frequency of transmission of the strings bythe three antennas is the same. In other implementations, the frequencycan be different.

In some implementations, the emission of the data string by the FrontDipole Antenna 257 may deliver a payload code that will cause thedownloading and reception of information that is intended for UE 160from UE 155.

In another implementation, the payload information is delivered directlyvia Front Dipole Antenna 257 to UE 160 and download of content fromServer 100 may not be necessary.

The downloading by UE 160 may occur via Access Point/Base Station (APBS)135, Data Link 140 and 143, 144 Core Network/Internet Cloud 130 fromServer 100.

The person skilled in the art will understand that, especially byreading what has been labeled as material incorporated by reference,there are many ways to ensure that UE 160 can determine when UE 155 isaimed at UE 160 and desires to establish a communication and/or make itspresence known to UE 160 and/or act as a reference point for UE 160and/or pair itself to UE 160.

One of the many possible scenarios could be the following.

User of UE 155 wants to deliver a message or a command to UE 160. UE 155stores, at least temporarily, said message or command on Memory 102 viaAccess Point/Base Station (APBS) 135. In certain implementations, themessage or command can be pre-stored, at least in part, on said Memory102 and UE 160 may only receive an indication or command to retrieve it.

UE 155 is aimed at UE 160 and a plurality of messages, sometimes in theformat represented in FIG. 2 B and sometimes in other formats, istransmitted by the three antennas: Right Dipole Antenna 258, Left DipoleAntenna 258, and Front Dipole Antenna 258.

The message sent by the three antennas can be the same for each antennain different intervals. The message can also be different for eachantenna. The message can be divided into blocks and each antenna cansend a different and partial block that is part of the whole message. Acomparison of the messages that are received by UE 160 will allow adetermination about the fact that UE 155 is aimed at UE 160 and somecontent or command is available for retrieval. In certainimplementations, there is no need for three antennas. For example, twoantennas with an asymmetric radiation pattern on at least one plane thatare positioned according to a constellation of antennas, exhibiting botha minimum and a maximum in their radiation patterns in a predefineddirection, may allow a determination that the message or command isaddressed to UE 160 from UE 155.

The content or command can be stored on a memory in UE 160 or can beretrieved, at least partially, from Memory 102 of Server 100.

The person skilled in the art will understand that Bluetooth Low Energy(BLE) is just one of many possible standards that can be used toimplement the general principles described in this application. BLE canwork in two modes of communication: Advertising (one-way discovery) andConnecting (two-way communication).

In certain implementations, iBeacons can run in advertising mode. Thismeans they periodically send packets of data that can be received byother devices like smartphones or tablets. iBeacons behave like a beaconthat is only sending a “Here I am!” signal and are not listening. Thismessage can be transmitted in intervals from 20 ms to 10 seconds and thelonger the interval, the longer the battery life. The transmission ofpackets in advertising mode can be activated manually.

According to the iBeacon standard, the message size can be up to 47bytes.

FIG. 2 B shows a diagram of this message broken down into blocks.

BLE packet in advertising mode consists of: Preamble (1 byte); AccessAddress (4 bytes); PDU Header (2 bytes); PDU MAC address (6 bytes); PDUData (0-31 bytes); iBeacon prefix (9 bytes); Proximity UUID (16 bytes);Major (2 bytes); Minor (2 bytes); TX power (2 bytes); CRC (3 bytes).

The PDU block contains the Data:

-   -   iBeacon prefix are 9 fixed bytes indicating that this BLE device        is actually an iBeacon device;    -   Proximity UUID (2nd line)—is an identifier that distinguishes        your iBeacons from the others. In some implementations, a mobile        app software is then set up to listen just to this proximity        UUID.    -   Major (3rd line)—is used to group a related set of iBeacons.    -   Minor (4th line)—is used to identify individual iBeacon.    -   TX power—actual TX power can be calculated as a 2's complement:        0xc5=197=>256-197=−59 dBm. TX power is the strength of the        signal measured at 1 meter from the iBeacon. This number is then        used to determine how close UE 160 is from UE 155 that is        emitting the iBeacon signal. The calculation is based on the        fact that UE 160 will know both TX power (RSSI at a distance of        1 meter from the iBeacon which is part of the message) and        current RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication that is        measured).

As discussed, in an exemplary implementation, the message that theantennas transmit is sequential and the three iBeacon transmissions aresynchronized. For example, the sequence could be 1) left antenna, 2)front antenna and finally 3) right antenna. The three antennas can bemarked and identified in the messages' blocks, e.g., in the Major andMinor Fields of the iBeacon message they transmit as left, right, andfront antennas.

In another implementation, three iBeacon messages will not be synchedand a collision may at times occur depending on the frequency ofretransmission of the iBeacon message by each antenna. The personskilled in the art will understand that in one implementation, threedifferent iBeacon emitters, each one using a different antenna of theconstellation of UE 155, can be used to transmit. In anotherimplementation, the iBeacon transmitter will be unique and the messagescould be transmitted in a round-robin fashion by the three antennas.

A possible scenario could be that user of UE 155, e.g., augmentedreality glasses hardware, wearable hardware, or a smartphone hardwarewants to communicate with user of UE 160. User of UE 155 aims hishardware towards the target hardware and enables the transmission of theantennas. An algorithm running on UE 160 will decide, by comparing thereception of the messages received by antennas in UE 155 if the contentor the command is addressed to UE 160. UE 160 may retrieve the contentor command from local memory in UE 160 or from Memory 102.

In certain implementations, the triggering of the transmission byantennas in UE 155 may derive from UE 155 being steady for at least apredetermined period as determined by a compass or a gyroscope. Thescenario could be, e.g., UE 155 is augmented reality glasses hardwarewhile antennas may act as passive and/or active elements. The stillnessof the glasses (deriving from a user staring a predefined object) cantrigger the transmission in some implementations. So for example, in oneimplementation, if UE 155 wants to deliver a message or command to UE160 via Front Dipole Antenna 257, a user of UE 155 will aim at leastRight Dipole Antenna 258 toward UE 160. The transmission of at least twoantennas of UE 155 can be activated by a condition such as apredetermined period in which UE 155 is immobile as determined by, e.g.,a gyroscope and/or a compass. In one implementation, once the payloadhas been delivered and/or visualized by UE 160, UE 155 can retrieve adelivery-confirmation message via, e.g., Radio Link 141.

In one implementation that will be discussed also with reference todrones in FIG. 8, UE 155 may act as a reference point for flying objectssuch as drones. In one implementation, UE 160 is a flying object and itwill receive radio emissions from the three antennas of UE 155. Thedrone (in this case UE 160) by receiving zero or nearly zero signal (andassociated messages) from Right Dipole Antenna 258 and Left DipoleAntenna 259, while receiving a stronger signal from Front Dipole Antenna257 will determine that it is positioned on Axis 280 and that mostlikely the information is intended for it.

As discussed, the iBeacons protocol provides a way for UE 160 todetermine and maintain a predetermined distance from UE 155. TX power isthe strength of the signal measured at 1 meter from the iBeacon. Thisnumber is then used to determine how close UE 160 is from UE 155 that isemitting the iBeacon signal. The calculation is enabled by UE 160knowing both TX power (RSSI at distance of 1 meter from the iBeacon,which is part of the message) and current RSSI (Received Signal StrengthIndication that is measured). In another implementation, if UE 160 is aflying drone a barometer module on UE 160 can be used to set andmaintain a predetermined altitude.

With the help of radio wave absorbers such as Radio Wave Absorber 240,Radiation Pattern 220 and Radiation Pattern 230 can be altered and madeasymmetric, both, on a vertical and a horizontal plane. The tilting ofUE 155 both, to the left or to the right, and up and down as compared toAxis 280, can be translated by UE 160 (a flying drone) into spatialmoving commands that will minimize the reception of signals associatedto Right Dipole Antenna 258 and Left Dipole Antenna 259.

FIG. 3 may represent an antenna and modules configuration that isembedded into a smartphone such as UE 165. In another implementation,FIG. 3 represents an antenna configuration that is embedded into a phoneor tablet smart protective cover and extends the functionalities ofthose apparatuses. In certain implementations said smart protectivecover for, e.g. UE 165, may connect to UE 165 via a USB port.

As discussed with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 9,092,898 that isincorporated by reference in its entirety, antennas that exhibitasymmetric radiation patterns can be used to determine the direction ofarrival of electromagnetic (EM) waves emitted by emitting objects suchas, e.g., phones, tablets, iBeacons, RF-ID (active, passive, or semiactive modules) and wearable equipment. In the example of FIG. 3 theantennas are dipoles, that can be dimensioned, e.g., as ¼ of thewavelength of a Bluetooth signal that is about 2.45 gigahertz.

The person skilled in the art will understand that other antenna lengthsare possible that are multiple of ¼ of the wavelength. Antennas can bepositioned around the frame of a smartphone in a way to obtain thereception of the same EM wave at different strengths, angles and timeaccording to the orientation of the antennas as compared to thedirection of arrival of the EM wave. Front Antenna 310 will receivemaximum signal from an Emitting Object 302, while Antennas 312, 313,316, 315, 311 will receive minimum signal. In certain implementations,radio wave absorbers such as Radio Wave Absorber 322 can be used toproduce asymmetry in the radiation patterns of the antennas so that thecomparisons between EM signals as received at different antennas can beused to determine a direction of arrival of a signal as emitted byEmitting Objects 302, 301, 303, 304, 305. In FIG. 3, antenna 314exhibits a radiation pattern oriented toward negative Y. Said radiationpattern can be obtained by means of EM radiation absorbers and/or othertechniques.

In some implementations, the usage of radio wave absorbers such as RadioWave Absorber 322 on one or two antennas that are positioned on the sameaxis such as Antenna 312 and Antenna 313 allows distinguishing thedirection of arrival of Emitting Object 304 from the direction ofarrival of Emitting Object 303. In one implementation, the comparisonbetween the same EM signal as received at Antennas 312, 313, 316, 315can resolve the ambiguity. The same concept can be applied todistinguish a signal arriving from Emitting Object 302 from direction ofarrival of Emitting Object 305.

In certain implementations, an ambiguity front-back or left-right can beresolved by analyzing the derivative function of the signal as receivedat different antennas. For example, if the rotation of UE 165 to theleft around Y-axis results in an increase of a received signal atAntenna 313 that is the same as compared to the increase of a signalreceived at Antenna 312 it means that the signal is coming from EmittingObject 302. If the same rotation results in a signal in Antenna 313 thatis less strong as compared to a signal as received for example atAntenna 315, it means that the signal is originating from Emittingobject 305. This technique may necessitate sing a gyroscope and/or acompass in UE 165 and calculating the derivatives of the receivedsignals at different antennas when movements in space of UE 165 occur.

In certain implementations, Antenna 311 can be a u-shape microstrippatch antenna such as the one described in the International Journal ofInnovation and Scientific Research, ISSN 2351-8014 Vol. 6 No. 1 Aug.2014, pp. 92-96, © 2014 Innovative Space of Scientific Research Journalsarticle that is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In another implementation, Antenna 311 is a Yagi antenna that can beembedded into UE 165 or embedded into a smart protective case for UE165. A Yagi-Uda antenna, commonly known as a Yagi antenna, is adirectional antenna consisting of multiple parallel elements in a line,usually half-wave dipoles made of metal rods. Yagi-Uda antennas consistof a single driven element connected to the transmitter or receiver witha transmission line, and additional parasitic elements: a so-calledreflector and one or more directors. It was invented in 1926 by ShintaroUda of Tohoku Imperial University, Japan.

This design achieves a very substantial increase in the antenna'sdirectionality and gain compared to a simple dipole. Also called a “beamantenna”, the Yagi is used as a high-gain antenna. It has gain thatdepends on the number of elements used, typically about 20 dBi, linearpolarization, unidirectional (end-fire) beam pattern with highfront-to-back ratio of up to 20 dB. Directional antennas can be used,alone or in combination with absorbers, derivative calculation modules,and/or gyroscopes to determine the direction of arrival of an EM signal.

In certain implementations, when UE 165 is, e.g., a smartphone ortablet, the touching of a hand or other body parts may affectperformances of the antennas both when receiving and/or transmitting. Atouch sensor, such as Touch Sensor 330, may detect the position of bodyparts that are affecting the radiation performance of antennas that areused to detect the direction of arrival of EM radiation by UE or areused actively according to various techniques described, e.g., withreference to FIG. 2 A. A software module in UE 165 may detect theposition of a user's body parts and/or how a user's body part that istouching UE 165, for example in Spot 320, is affecting, for example,Antenna 315. A software module that is running on UE 165 may producevisual indications on where to position fingers or other body parts inorder to minimize their interference with functionalities associatedwith UE 165 and its antennas. UE 165 may also produce indications that abody part is interfering with some functionality.

In another implementation, UE 165 and/or hardware that is associatedwith UE 165, may operate a software module that weights and balancesindications or functionalities associated with different antennas. Forexample, if Touch Sensor 330 detects the presence of a finger in Spot320 a software module may exclude Antenna 315 from functionalitiesassociated with direction-finding. In another implementation with thesame scenario, a software module may exclude Antenna 315 fromtransmitting EM signals for facilitating functionalities discussed withreference to FIG. 2 and activate instead Antenna 316. A software modulerunning on UE 165 may rebalance loads and indications associated withantennas when there is redundancy of antennas that can be used toperform similar functionalities. In another implementation, when thereis no redundancy said software module may provide an indication thatfunctionalities associated with antennas are not accurate. In anotherimplementation, indications or functionalities associated with antennasmay be inhibited until, for example user of UE 165 does not comply withindications by said software module such as, e.g., putting a finger inSpot 321 rather than elsewhere.

The person skilled in the art will understand that many of the conceptsthat have been described with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 9,092,898 andPat. App. 20160005233 and are incorporated by reference can be reappliedto a handheld device that can be used to receive and transmitdirectional indications, directional messages, and/or directionalcommands.

In certain implementations, functionalities, commands, indications, andmessages associated with hardware as described in this patentapplication can be restricted and/or associated with session areas asdescribed with reference to FIG. 1 and the various patents that havebeen incorporated by reference. For example, indications associated withEmitting Object 302 can be inhibited unless UE 165 and/or EmittingObject 302 is determined to be located within the boundaries of asession area and have registered at Server 100.

FIG. 4 provides a schematic example of a User Equipment 165 apparatus inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In thisimplementation, UE 165 represents a handheld device. Many of the modulesand functionalities can be replicated in a wearable equipment apparatus.

The person skilled in the art will recognize that by virtue of apossible log in mechanism, users may employ an assortment of equipmentas long as said equipment is running a software application contained ina memory such as, e.g., Memory 431 and enabling at least some of thefunctionalities described in this application. In practice, using alogin and a password to access and run a software application stored onuser equipment makes said user equipment interchangeable.

User Equipment 165 is a general example of a mobile device that userscan operate. It could be a traditional mobile phone, a personal digitalassistant, a laptop computer, an e-book reader, an entertainment consoleor controller, wearable hardware such as augmented reality headsets, atablet computer or any other equivalent portable device that may be usedto communicate, receive and transmit indications, receive and transmitcommands from and to other mobile equipment or with Server 100. UserEquipment 165 includes at least one Processor/Controller 420 and atleast a Memory 431 comprising computer program instructions. The atleast one Processor 420/Controller can be embodied by any computationalor data processing device, such as a central processing unit (CPU) orapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The at least oneProcessor/Controller 420 can be implemented as one or a plurality ofcontrollers.

Memory 431 may contain application software running on User Equipment165. Memory 431 may also contain at least portions of a data structurecontaining details and parameters of events that are most relevant tothe location, time and user ID profile associated with said UserEquipment 165 so that the continuous pinging of Server 100 for thedownloading of data or output of algorithms will not be necessary toensure a reliable and smooth functioning. The at least one Memory 431can be any suitable storage device, such as a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium. For example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or randomaccess memory (RAM) can be used in at least one Memory 431.

The at least one Memory 431 can be on the same chip as the at least oneProcessor/Controller 420, or can be separated from the at least oneProcessor/Controller 420. The computer program instructions may be anysuitable form of computer program code. For example, the computerprogram instructions may be a compiled or interpreted computer program.The at least one Memory 431 and computer program instructions can beconfigured to, with the at least one Processor/Controller 420, to causea hardware apparatus (for example, User Equipment 165) to perform anyprocess described herein.

User Equipment 165 may include a Radio Frequency Identification (RF-ID)and/or a Near Field Communication (NFC) Module 440 with an antenna (notshown). The RF-ID/NFC Module 440 may operate using traditional RF-IDfrequencies or NFC frequencies. In one implementation these RF-ID/NFCModules 440 contained in User Equipment 165 may send a wireless digitalidentifier (ID) associated with a user to an RFID reader located, e.g.,in the premises of Location 180.

In one implementation, the direction detection technique explainedconcerning FIG. 2 A and FIG. 2 B might occur not because an emittingobject is spontaneously emitting EM radiation but because, as in thecase of RF-ID modules, those modules have been irradiated with EM energyby UE 165. For example, the detection of an emitting module such as anRF-IF module may occur in multiple phases: 1) the emission of anomnidirectional EM signal by UE 155; 2) the reception of the responsefrom the RF-ID module at right Dipole Antenna 258 and Left DipoleAntenna 259 antennas for the determination of the direction of arrivalof the response.

An alternative exemplary implementation can be: 1) emission ofdirectional signal by Front Antenna 257 in the direction of Axis 280 (inthis case Front Antenna 257 can be, e.g., a patch antenna instead of adipole; 2) the reception of the response from the RF-ID module at rightDipole Antenna 258 and Left Dipole Antenna 259 for the determination ofthe direction of arrival of the response from the RF-ID emitting object.In FIG. 4, also Directional Antenna 425 can be used to induce a responsefrom RF-ID modules.

An algorithm located on Server 100 may automatically check-in UserEquipment 165 that is associated with said wireless digital identifier(ID). An algorithm residing on Server 100 can also associate these IDsto data structures also residing on Server 100 describing userpreferences and profiles.

A check-in made by means of an RF-ID reader (or tags) can also be usedin combination with Compass/Gyroscope 476 and Accelerometer 477 and/orinertial equipment to provide an accurate tracking of the position ofusers via inertial measurements within enclosed premises where a GPSmodule or other positioning systems may not work or be sufficientlyprecise.

For example, if the range of the RF-ID reader is short (e.g. 2 feet) thesystem will use the position of the RF-ID reader as the position at thetime T of check-in. The system may also use Accelerometer 477 andCompass/Gyroscope 476 to track and record any subsequent movement ofUser Equipment 165. In so doing, the system may have a sufficientlyprecise position of particular user equipment in time. A location mayhave more than one RF-ID reader.

A precise indoor positioning system and Compass/Gyroscope 476 can beused to implement a function that can be desirable in crowded venues.For example, when a user requests a meeting with another user withinSession Area 190 and said meeting request is accepted, it is desirablethat I/O User Interface 450 produce an indication of where the otheruser is located. If the location of the two users is known with a goodlevel of precision by the system or by a software module running on UE165, I/O User Interface 450 may produce indicia such as an arrowpointing at the location of the user to be met and a distance value.Said functionality can be implemented at least in part by hardwarecomponents and software routines located either on User Equipment 165 oron Server 100. This situation will be discussed in another embodimentwith reference to FIGS. 5 A and 5 B.

User Equipment 165 can be equipped with a Directional Antenna 425 andrelated circuitry that can be plugged in, e.g., into USB PORT 426.Directional Antenna 425 can be sensing the RSSI of data pertaining,e.g., to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi signal received from surrounding userequipment such as User Equipment 155, 160, 170, 175. It can also be usedto transmit EM energy and activate RF-ID modules.

User Equipment 165 may also include an I/O User Interface 450. I/O UserInterface 450 may allow inputting information via a touch screen or aQWERTY keyboard. I/O User Interface 450 may also include a vibratingnotification module, or a speaker or a monitor or any combinationthereof. User Equipment 165 may include one or more Transceiver 460configured to operate in conjunction with one or more Antenna 470 tocommunicate wirelessly. In one embodiment, the Antenna Unit 470 maysupport beamforming and/or multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)operations. As is known to those skilled in the art, MIMO operations mayprovide spatial diversity, which is to overcome difficult channelconditions and/or increase channel throughput. Antenna 470 may includeantenna tuning and/or impedance matching components, RF poweramplifiers, and/or low noise amplifiers. User Equipment 165 can beoptimized to support multiple transceivers using multiple wirelessstandards.

In one example embodiment, User Equipment 165 may support simultaneoustransmission of cellular (for example, GSM/UMTS/LTE/WiMAX) andnon-cellular (for example, WLAN 495 or Bluetooth®/ZigBee 490) radiocarriers. A Transmission Module GSM/UMTS/LTE/WiMAX 475 could be themedium by which User Equipment 165 communicates with Server 100.Alternatively, User Equipment 165 may communicate via WLAN 495 module.

Module WLAN 495 may also be a way by which the system ensures thelocationing constraints associated with a session area. WLAN may be usedas a proxy for ensuring that location constraints are met.

The location-based component of one embodiment of the invention can beadvantageously implemented in many different ways. In one possibleimplementation, a GPS Module 410 may provide the location of UserEquipment 165 to Server 100 via Data Link 140. When in closedenvironments, such as a shopping mall, the location data can be providedvia other techniques. For example, choke points or grids, locationindexing and presence reporting for tagged objects (such as RF-IDreaders), can be used to provide location data when indoor. Otherexamples of techniques used to provide location are the angle ofarrival, time of arrival, and received signal strength indication.

FIG. 5-A and FIG. 5-B describe at least a method to enable userequipment such as UE 165 to move from location A to Location B withoutnecessitating a precise location data of said UE 165. As described withreference to FIG. 3, a handheld apparatus using antennas exhibitingasymmetric radiation patterns intelligently distributed in or around auser apparatus can determine the direction of arrival of an EM signal.Antennas 310, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 311 are examples of suchantennas. The signal strengths of the received electromagnetic radiationat each antenna and their derivative function (associated with the datarelated to the spatial orientation of said UE 165 that can be tracked bya gyroscope/compass) can be used as an input for an algorithm stored,e.g., on Memory 431 to determine “where, how and when” to produce anoutput to be represented by I/O User Interface 450.

A precise indoor positioning system associated with Compass/Gyroscope476 can be used to implement a function that can be desirable in crowdedvenues. For example, when a user requests a meeting with another userwithin Session Area 190 and said meeting request is accepted, it isdesirable that I/O User Interface 450 produce an indication of where theother user is located. If the location of the two users is known with agood level of precision by the system or by a software module running onMemory 431, I/O User Interface 450 may produce indicia, such as adirectional indication pointing at the final location of the destinationuser and a distance value to said destination user. Said functionalitycan be implemented at least in part by hardware components and softwareroutines located both on User Equipment 165 and on Server 100.

FIG. 5-A represents one possible embodiment of an aspect of the presentinvention. As discussed in at least material incorporated by reference,FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, of the present application, wearable equipmentor handheld equipment can be configured via software and hardwaremodules to detect the direction of arrival of an EM radiation ofequipment such as an iBeacon module when, e.g., in advertising mode.

The EM radiation signal may come from fixed stations such as EmittingObjects 502, 503, 504, 505, 506. These Emitting Objects have EM Range510, 511, 512, 513. In some implementations, at least some of theseemitting objects have an overlapping radiation area so that UE 165 cansometimes receive the EM emission contemporaneously form two EmittingObjects when positioned within said overlapping radiation area. Incertain implementations, all of these objects are iBeacons stations. Inother implementations, the system and the UE can use a mix of radiostandards, to acquire directional information. For example, a mix ofWi-Fi and Bluetooth stations can be used for directional guidance.

In certain implementations, as described in FIG. 5-A and FIG. 5-B, adirectionality finder capability of UE 165 and an intelligentdistribution of emitting objects can provide a useful and alternativetechnique to overcome limitations or complications associated withindoor and/or outdoor positioning and navigation. A breadcrumb techniquecan be used to guide UE 165 to object A represented in FIG. 5-A. Thistechnique consists in following a trail of Emitting Objects to arrive ata location by following intermediate steps.

In one implementation, if UE 165 is, e.g., in a shopping mall and theuser desires to reach location A, UE 165 can send an inquiry to Server100. Server 100 by means of Controller 101, Memory 102 and an algorithmstored therein, will retrieve and calculate the sequence path of objectsthat UE 165 must follow to reach location A. UE 165 may receive saidsequence via Link 520. In case UE 165 deviates from said sequence pathof Emitting Objects (EO) or an Emitting Object in the sequence becomesnot available, UE 165 may request and receive an updated path fromServer 100. In certain implementations, UE 165 may not need to pingServer 100 for updates because UE 165 may download in part or in itsentirety the database of emitting objects for the area in which it islocated. Updates and recalculations to reach the desired location mayalso occur at least in part locally at UE 165 and or on Server 100.

In an exemplary embodiment, UE 165 will be directed in sequence towardEmitting Object 502, Emitting Object 503, Emitting Object 504, EmittingObject 505, and Emitting Object 506 to reach location A. The navigationsystem's UX-UI may consist in providing a directional indication towardthe next waypoint in the sequence of emitting objects. When UE 165 canreceive the EM emission of the next emitting object in the sequence, analgorithm may calculate the time in which to switch the UX-UIindications from the current indication of the previous EO to the nextEO in the current breadcrumb trail according to certain parameters suchas, e.g., the RSSI of the next emitting object.

In certain implementations, the Emitting Objects can be controlled,programmed, or configured by means of Links 521, 522, 523, 524, and 525.The Emitting Objects can be programmed to emit EM energy atpredetermined levels or using predetermined emission sectors. They canbe programmed to convey predetermined information to the user. They caneven be activated only when needed. For example, the query originated byUE 165 to reach Location A may direct Server 100 to activate those EOsthat are useful and needed to create the trail. Server 100 can alsoregulate the emission power of said EOs. In certain implementations, EOscan emit EM signals according to sectors. So for example, the same fixedEO can emit an EM with an ID code in one sector and another ID code inanother sector.

Emitting Objects can have functionalities such as the reception ofsurrounding signals from nearby Emitting Objects or User Equipment. Thisinformation can be conveyed to Server 100 and/or UE 165. In oneimplementation, if one of the Emitting Objects such as, e.g., EmittingObject 504 stops functioning said failure could be recorded bysurrounding Emitting Objects 503 and 505 and then conveyed to Server 100and/or UE 165. An algorithm stored in Memory 100 may direct EmittingObjects 503 and 505 to increase their emission power to compensate forsaid failure. In certain implementations, UE 165 may continuously updateServer 100 on which neighboring Emitting Objects UE 165 is capable ofreceiving. Server 100 may direct Emitting Objects to increase ordecrease their emission power to facilitate navigation and/or repairbroken or missing links useful to the navigation as reported by UE 165and/or Emitting Objects.

In certain implementations, Emitting Objects 502, 503, 504, 505 and 506do not communicate with Server 100 but their position is known to Server100. An algorithm in Memory 102 or Memory 431 will function accordingthe assumption that the data associated with EOs are correct andupdated.

FIG. 5-A represents an embodiment where all Emitting Objects are fixed.The person skilled in the art will understand that this is asimplification. In fact, in certain implementations, some links in thechain of emitting objects may come, at least temporarily, from EmittingObjects that are mobile such as a UE apparatus when they are useful toassist the navigation of a user. To support this functionality, incertain implementations, said UE apparatus may report to Server 100 thelist of Emitting Objects (neighbor objects) it is able to receive. Inanother implementation, the Emitting Objects report to Server 100 thereception of said UE apparatus and neighboring EOs. In a situation wheretwo Emitting Objects receive said UE apparatus but cannot receive eachother, said UE apparatus could be used according to an algorithm onServer 100 or UE 165 to bridge a gap in the chain that is needed for thedirectional navigation. The person skilled in the art will understandthat hybrid scenarios are possible where fixed and movable equipmentcontributes to acting as reference points during directional navigation.The handover, namely when UE 165 stops providing directions withreference to an old Emitting Object and starts providing directions withreference to a new Emitting Object, can be controlled by an algorithm inUE 165 or alternatively in Server 100 via Links 520 and 526.

FIG. 5-B represents a dynamic embodiment of what described in FIG. 5-A.In this implementation, the emitting objects are UE hardware that is notfixed but can move around, such as UE 532, 533, 534 and 535. At leastsome of these UE emits an EM signal such as a Bluetooth signal havingradio horizon Range 540, 541, and 542.

In certain implementations users of UE 531, 532, 533, 534 and 535 haveall joined a common session area and/or event and/or session. This mayallow an algorithm in Server 100 to rely on UE 531, 532, 533, 534, and535 to enable directional navigation, from hardware, software and aprivacy/legal standpoint.

In one implementation, a user of UE 531 wants to meet with user of UE535. UEs 531, 532, 533, 534, 535 may continuously or periodically updateServer 100 on which neighboring UEs and or Emitting Objects they arecapable of receiving (neighbor list). When Server 100 receives a requestfrom user of UE 531 to meet with user of UE 535, it may provide a firstindication of which neighboring UE user should follow that is useful toget closer to the final destination, e.g., UE 540. Along the breadcrumbpath and over time, the list of UEs can vary according to manyparameters. In certain implementations, UE 531, 532, 533, 534, 535 mayprovide to Server 100 with not only a list of surrounding emittingneighboring equipment via Links 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, that can beused to extrapolate a path but also with indications associated to thestrength of the EM signals received. Therefore, for example, whilechoosing between two UEs that can both receive UE 533 an algorithm inServer 100 or in UE 531 may indicate as most useful the one that reportsa stronger signal received from UE 533 because it is closer to the nextstep in the trail. The iBeacon standard has also a distancedetermination algorithm built-in that can be used for improving theefficiency of the sequence of UEs that needs to be followed to reach thefinal destination or the destination user (e.g., UE 535).

Generally, an optimum breadcrumb trail can be determined by the leastnumber of UE/Emitting objects to reach the destination but a reading ofRSSIs between said UE/Emitting objects (how strong they receive eachother that is also correlated to distance between said UE/Emittingobjects) can be part of the algorithm to provide said optimum breadcrumbtrail.

As discussed in the previous example of FIG. 5-A, hardware can be bothmovable and fixed and hybrid scenarios are possible. Again, all or partof the data can be downloaded to UE 531 and UE 531 can perform all orpart or none of the calculations needed for the directional navigation.

In certain implementations, UE belongs to closed classes and or groupsso that only equipment and/or users that support directional navigationwithin a predetermined group can benefit from the support of mobileequipment within the same group or class. One of the reasons is that,for example, UE may have to report periodically to Server 100 the listof surrounding UEs (the ones that are within their radio horizon, forexample, Bluetooth radio horizon) to be able to support and be supportedfor the directional navigation functionality. In certainimplementations, the reporting of said list in one area or within acertain mesh network can be activated according to different scenarios:on-demand, need for, or according to various algorithms. The personskilled in the art will understand that the number of hops to reach afinal destination EO may range from just one to as many are needed toinclude UE into a neighbor list.

In one implementation, the system or a UE may request the activation ofthe reporting of the neighbor's list to Server 100 for all the UEswithin a predefined distance from said UE. In another implementation,there is no predetermined distance but the requirement of reporting mayexpand with a geometric progression from the originating UE until apredetermined destination UE is reported to be part of at least one ofthe neighbor's list of the geometrically expanding group generated bythe query. In another implementation, the query may be limited to apredetermined number of hops or branches from the originating UE. If thedestination UE is not contained within any of the neighbors' lists, thequery may return a null value. In other implementations, the query maybe defined not only by an instant search but also by a search that lastsfor a period. If within said period, one of the UEs that is part of thegeometrically expanding group (or simply by a group of UEs that are partthe service) reports the reception of said destination UE as a neighbor,originating UE will be alerted and/or a directional breadcrumb path canbe provided.

FIG. 6 represents one implementation of a system for directionalaugmented reality and/or directional navigation that is based onparameters and/or classes. In one implementation, UE 155 is augmentedreality glasses that work according to the principles described withreference to FIG. 2 A and described in the literature that isincorporated by reference such as U.S. Pat. No. 9,092,898 and Pat. App.U.S. 20160005233 A1.

In other implementations, UE 155 can be a handheld device workingaccording to the principles described in FIG. 3 of the presentapplication. Both classes of apparatuses (handheld and wearable) maycontain modules such as a positioning module, a gyro module, a compassmodule that can be used to support a vast array of functionalitiesdescribed also in the following paragraphs.

In one embodiment, the argumentation indicia that are outputted by UE155 when Emitting Object 601 is in the field of view of UE 155 maydepend not only from a code associated with the emitting object (eitherstatic or in motion such as user equipment) but also from acontemporaneous reading of a compass module in UE 155. For example, anaugmented indication to turn to the right may occur if the compassmodule of UE 155 reads a direction of arrival of the EM wave having avalue between 240 degrees and 300 degrees while Emitting Object 601 isin the field of view of UE 155. Equivalently an indication to turn leftmay occur if compass module of UE 155 reads a direction of arrivalcompass value between 60 degrees and 120 degrees while Emitting Object601 is in the field of view of UE 155.

In another implementation, the augmentation indicia may depend not onlyfrom a code associated with the emitting object (both static and dynamicsuch as user equipment) but also from a geofenced area in which UE 155is located, such as Session Area 190 or more generally from the positionof UE 155.

In another implementation, the augmentation indicia may depend from notonly a code or other information associated with the emitting object(both static and/or movable objects such as UEs) but also from amembership-to-a predetermined-group-of-users parameter to which user ofUE 155 and/or user of UE 165 belong. For example, the user of UE 165 maybe paying a fee for his information or an advertisement to be augmentedby 155.

In another implementation, the augmentation indicia may depend not onlyfrom a code associated with the emitting object (both static and inmotion such as user equipment) but also from the cinematic qualities ofthe emitting object. This can be accomplished in many different ways.The following examples are not exhaustive.

UE 155 may detect the motion of UE 165 and therefore it enables theaugmentation of the EM signal it receives from UE 165. In anotherimplementation, only if UE 165 detects a movement of itself via forexample its own Compass/Gyro 476 and/or its Accelerometer 477 it willemit the EM signal that is necessary for the augmentation by UE 155.

In another implementation, UE 165 will transmit an EM signal that willcontain data pertaining to UE 165 such as for example cinematic data ofUE 165. This signal can be transmitted via Link 671 directly to UE 155.In one implementation, at least one data block of data will contain dataand parameters pertaining to cinematic data. Said cinematic data, whenreceived by UE 155, will enable and/or influence augmentationfunctionalities of UE 155 related to UE 165.

In another implementation, UE 165 may provide instantaneous orsemi-instantaneous data pertaining to its status, e.g. cinematic data orposition data to Server 100 via Link 670. UE 155 via Link 673 mayretrieve these data when needed. Alternatively, data provided by UE 165will affect augmentation related to UE 165. UE 155 will retrieve viaLink 673 only the effects of such influence.

In certain implementations, the augmentation functionality may occuraccording to a Hierarchy. Augmentation Classes 611, 612, 613, 614 and615 represent classes of augmentation such as for example, professionalnetworking, games, dating, sightseeing information, and cinematic dataand related information that are associated to code or an ID. Many otherclasses are possible. The same ID or code that is received by UE 155 viaLink 671 or Link 672 may belong to multiple classes and UE 155 could beassociated with multiple classes.

In order to avoid conflicts, a Hierarchy of classes can be establishedso that a class will have priority in the augmentation over anotherclass. User associated with UE 155, user associated with Emitting Object601, user associated with UE 165 and/or an Administrator of the servicecontrolling Server 100 can establish a hierarchy among classes. Theaugmentation may occur according to the class that is on top a hierarchyof classes.

In another implementation, the hierarchy may involve a hierarchy amongusers. For example, two users that compete for augmentation of UE 155may be subordinated to each other. In another implementation, theaugmentation hierarchy may involve a seniority system among users, apremium user system, or a point system among users. If a plurality ofequipment is within Angle 690 in the field of view of a user of UE 155and they do compete for augmentation by UE 155, said hierarchy amongusers and/or apparatuses, and/or classes may resolve which emission UE155 will augment.

In certain implementations, once the augmentation associated to anemitting object has been outputted, a timer might be initiated so thatthe same augmentation is not outputted for a predetermined time. Incertain implementations, when two augmentation indicia compete foroutput the one that has been displayed most recently may take a lesserpriority.

In certain implementations, the final augmentation may depend onmultiple steps. For example, UE 165 may emit a code or an ID that mayfall under Augmentation Class 611 and said ID be comprised withinboundaries defined at Location Memory 621, e.g. augmentation for adynamic object such as a mobile phone. The next step could beinvestigating Augmentation Class 612, e.g. pertaining to geographicalareas, to check for example if the position of UE 155 affects theaugmentation. If UE 155 is in one area as defined by Location Memory622, the augmentation might be affected. For example, it is allowed.

The next step could be to check for conditions represented inAugmentation Class 613. For example, the augmentation could be differentaccording to the fact that the user associated with UE 165 is a male ora female. This occurrence can be communicated to Server 100 via Link 670and Link 678. The augmentation by UE 155 could be different depending ona male versus a female being associated with UE 165.

The person skilled in the art will understand that Augmentation Classes614 and 615 could be used as additional modifiers of the ultimateaugmentation. Data included may pertain to both the augmenting apparatusUE 155 and/or the emitting apparatus such as Emitting Object 601 and UE165.

Examples may include data received from hardware modules such aslocation modules, gyro modules, and compass modules of both emittinghardware and augmenting hardware. In another embodiment, they may derivefrom data or selections in user profiles associated with Emitting Object601, UE 165 and/or UE 155.

Other examples may include conditions and data associated with anadministrator of a service that can be inputted in Memory 102 via Link674.

For example, the user of UE 165 may be activated by a company as anagent for that company. This is described and incorporated by referencein U.S. Pat. No. 9,286,610 and US 2015-0199547 A1 concerning bothlocation-based services and customization of connected objects such asaugmented reality equipment. In FIG. 6 Administrator Equipment 111represents said administrator.

In one implementation, an administrator of a service or a company mayactivate UE 165 as an agent for that company. UE 155 may outputaugmentation indicia indicating that user of UE 165 is an agent and arepresentative for a product, a service or a company. As discussed, withreference to Augmentation Classes and Location Memories, Location Memory624 in Augmentation Class 614 main contain data related to products,authorizations and spatial boundaries associated with UE 165.Augmentation Class 615 and Location Memory 625 may concern preferencesfor augmentations for products, services, and companies of a user of UE155.

The person skilled in the art will understand that the augmentationindicia that will be outputted by UE 155 may depend from the concurrentoccurrence of many parameters and factors where the final augmentationcan be the result of a condition/event/parameters tree that may involve,in sequence or in parallel, a plurality of different AugmentationClasses and Location Memories.

Conditions, boundaries, parameters, and data in Augmentation Database680 contained in Memory 102 can be updated periodically or continuouslyby administrators, users, and hardware/software systems or equipment(both manually and/or automatically). As discussed, in certainimplementations, portions of Augmentation Database 680 and/or actuationalgorithms can be distributed among a plurality of hardware and memorymodules to improve efficiency.

FIG. 7 represents a method for one embodiment of the present inventionin which transmitting hardware (embedding a plurality of antennas thatare strategically positioned in said transmitting hardware) enables, atleast temporarily, the pairing of said transmitting hardware withreceiving hardware. The method comprises 1) facilitating receivingwithin a predetermined period by a first hardware apparatus from asecond hardware apparatus a plurality of EM signals transmitted by aplurality of antennas that are embedded into said second hardwareapparatus, wherein said plurality of antennas exhibit an asymmetricradiation pattern; and 2) facilitating determining via said firsthardware apparatus as a result of an analysis of said receiving saidplurality of EM signals whether said second hardware apparatus isrequesting a pairing between said first hardware apparatus and saidsecond hardware apparatus, wherein said pairing enables functionalitiesselected from the group consisting of: an exchange of informationbetween said first hardware apparatus and said second hardwareapparatus, the execution of commands by said second hardware apparatus,the execution of commands by said first hardware apparatus, thereception of information associated to said first hardware apparatus,the reception of information associated to said second hardwareapparatus, and combinations thereof.

FIG. 8 represents a method, system, and apparatus of one embodiment ofthe present invention related to drones and more in general to anyhardware equipment that is capable of positioning. The comparison ofRSSI of an EM signal such as a Bluetooth signal emitted by UE 165 asreceived by Antennas 801, 802, 803, 804 can be used by an algorithm inLogic Module 816 of Drone 850 enabling the locking of Drone 850 into apredetermined relative position as compared to the position of UE 165.

A an example The person skilled in the art will understand that ifRadius 807 is the radius of a circumference on a horizontal planeencompassing the endpoints of the four Antennas 803, 804, 801, 802, andsaid circumference has a radius of 10 centimeters and said four antennasare all positioned at an Angle 850 that measures, e.g., 87 degrees(Angle 850 is reproduced to the right and it subtends said Radius 807),by means of trigonometry calculations, when all four antennas are aimingat EM source UE 165, Drone 850 is positioned on an imaginary line(Vertical Line 851) over UE 165 at a distance of approximately 190centimeters.

The person skilled in the art will understand that if Antennas 801, 802,803, 804 all receive a minimum signal (ideally zero) and, e.g., Antenna805 (a control antenna) receives maximum signal it means that Drone 850is positioned vertically above a user of UE 165 at a height of about 190centimeters. It should be also apparent that not all antennas need to beinclined at the same angle. If it is desired that Drone 850 positionsitself in front of user or, e.g., on an imaginary circumference in theair centered on said Vertical Line 851, antennas can be inclined atdifferent angles and an algorithm running in Logic Module 816 mayproduce control signals so that Drone 850 positions itself to minimizeand/or equalize RSSI received at Antennas 801, 802, 803, 804.

In another embodiment, a measurement from a barometer module in Drone850 feeding elevation data to Logic Module 816 may help thestabilization algorithm to position Drone 850 in a predeterminedposition in relation to UE 165. In another embodiment, a radar module onthe drone can be used to stabilize Drone 850 at a selected altitude.

In another embodiment Link 815, connecting UE 165 with Drone 850 maypermit the exchange of cinematic data from UE 165 to Drone 850 and viceversa. For example, if Drone 850 is positioned at a predetermined spotso that RSSI received at Antennas 801, 802, 803, 804 is equalized and/orproximate to zero, it may happen that UE 165 moves to the right. Thecinematic data can be recorded by the Compass/Gyroscope 476 moduleand/or Accelerometer 477 module. Said cinematic data can be communicatedvia Link 815 to Logic Module 816 so that Drone 850 will be able tomaintain a predetermined position not only by means of RSSI readings atantennas and barometric readings but also via cinematic data receiveddirectly from UE 165 so that all movements of UE 165 can be translatedinto a spatial correction datum by Drone 850. The result will be thatDrone 850 may move along with UE 165 maintaining its relative position.The person skilled in the art will also know that RSSI readings can alsobe translated into distance readings by means of the iBeaconstandardization protocol.

FIG. 9 is another embodiment of one aspect of the present invention fora drone that can also maintain a fixed relative position in relation toUE 165 or other equipment. In some regards, the usage of one antennatilted toward UE 165 is a simplification as compared to FIG. 8. In thisimplementation, Antenna 941 is tilted of a predetermined Angle 942.Angle 942 is the complementary angle to the angle that is formed betweenAntenna 942 and an imaginary vertical line intersecting said antenna'sendpoint. When Antenna 942 receives a value of RSSI lower than apredetermined threshold this will signal to Logic module 943 that Drone970 is in position, namely, it is on Axis 902. Said threshold value ofRSSI can be coupled with a barometric reading or a radar reading from asensor on Drone 970 to maintain a predetermined elevation. Inputs from abarometer module in Drone 970 will signal to Logic Module 943 that Drone970 is at the predetermined elevation. In some implementations, thedistance between UE 165 and Drone 970 can be maintained via RSSIreadings of other antennas that are translated into a distance by LogicModule 943. As discussed with reference to FIG. 8, Link 902 may alsosignal cinematic data of UE 165 so that those cinematic data can bereplicated by Drone 970 (translated into spatial corrections) tomaintain its position in relation to UE 165 or any other EM source thatcan be installed, e.g., on a moving vehicle. Therefore, for example, ifthe user of UE 165 is running, his cinematic data can be translated intospatial corrections for the drone to maintain continuously a fixedrelative position between UE 165 and Drone 970. This method can beapplied in conjunction or independently from the method for determiningthe direction of arrival of an EM source. In certain implementations,the drone can be manually positioned in a certain relative position andthen the transmission of cinematic and/or inertial data can be activatedfrom a reference object so that Drone 970 is spatially locked into saidrelative position.

The person skilled in the art will also understand that a user, incertain implementations, can substitute UE 165 with an ad-hoc EM sourcegenerator and/or a transmitter of cinematic data that can be morecompact and/or wearable than a smartphone.

In certain implementations, Video Camera 940 can be aligned with saidAntenna 941 to Axis 902 so that pictures and videos of, e.g., user of UE165 can be taken by Video Camera 940 by means of user's inputs on I/OUser Interface 450 or automatically, for a predetermined period, or atthe occurrence of predetermined conditions. Said predeterminedconditions can include a value threshold of RSSI received by Antenna941, inputs from the user of UE 165, cinematic data received by UE 165,position data, input from an administrator of Drone 970, wherein Drone970 can also be wirelessly connected to a Base Station such as BS 135.

Said videos, pictures, or digital data relating to, for example,readings by means of digital and analog sensors, can be stored on amemory on Drone 970 or downloaded via Link 901 or other wireless link orcable connection into UE 165 or Server 100 for use by user of UE 165 orDrone Administrator 931 or another entity such as, e.g., the owner of avehicle equipped with an EM source module.

In certain implementations, Drone 970 and/or Drone 850, are equippedwith a GPS and are wirelessly connected to a Base Station 135 and/or theinternet via Link 981. In certain implementations, drones can be sentremotely by an administrator of those drones to perform a service forthe user of UE 165 or more generally for a user associated with an EMsource module.

In certain implementations, the user of UE 165 can request a drone to aDrone Administrator 931 by sending a request via a software app togetherwith his position to Drone Administrator 931. Drone 970 or Drone 850 mayfly toward the position indicated by said user and when in proximity ofsaid position and/or within range of a wireless signal emitted by UE 165and/or within a certain geofenced area, said drones might performcertain tasks for the benefit of user of UE 165 and/or Droneadministrator. Said geofenced area might be centered, e.g., on currentposition of user of UE 165 or on a position indicated by said user orsaid administrator. Said tasks may include the capturing of video and/orpictures of user of UE 165 or other subjects such as houses. Said videoor pictures or digital media can also be streamed to user of UE 165 orDrone Administrator in real-time for subsequent selection, sharing orstoring.

In one exemplary implementation, we can imagine, for example, NFLfootball players having drones tasked with following their performancesduring a game. Said drones can be allocated different elevations so thatthey will not interfere with each other. The visual field locking onselected football players functionality and other functionalities can beprovided by a small EM source carried by those players, e.g., in Helmet975. In another implementation, said EM source can be contained in Ball976 that is used to play the game, for example a soccer ball or anAmerican Football ball. In this case, the drone can automatically followthe action and can be oriented, positioned and focused so that itscamera's field of view follows the action without the constantintervention of a human operator. Those drones may also have thecapability to switch their locking functionality from one player toanother player and/or reposition themselves around a player and/or an EMsource. Said switching functionality can be enabled by algorithmscapable of aligning and/or positioning Drone 970 according to an IDassociated with each player and/or helmet so that Drone 970 can switchits locking from one player to the other or to the ball that is usedduring the game.

The person skilled in the art will understand that a drone flying over afootball field while players are playing should comply with any safetyrequirements. Drones should have backup systems so that in case of afailure of one or more components, a safe retrieval of the drone ispossible. For example, it should be able to safely fly and land using asubset of its propellers. In case of crash landing, certain modules,such as automatic parachutes or airbags should deploy to minimize therisk of hurting nearby humans on the ground. In certain implementations,drones can be contained in spherical and light cages so that in case offorced landing the danger to nearby humans is minimized. In certainimplementations, a drone experiencing a failure or flying below apredetermined altitude may emit a loud sound so that humans on theground are alerted of its impending crash or its presence. In certainimplementations, drones can be confined to geofences positioned to theside of the playing field so that a crash will minimize the probabilityof hurting nearby humans.

The person skilled in the art will understand that the condition thatAntenna 941 receives an RSSI data below a predetermined threshold (orideally zero) from an emitting source translates into Drone 970 beingpositioned, e.g., on a horizontal circumference in the sky centered on avertical axis that intersects the EM source. The elevation and thedimensions of said circumference are dependants from Angle 942 and froma predetermined elevation parameter. In certain implementations, Angle942 can be variable according to settings and inputs of droneadministrator. The person skilled in the art will also understand theinterdependence of drone elevation, Angle 942 and radius of saidcircumference where Drone 970 or Drone 850 can move maintaining, e.g.,an ideal value of RSSI received by at least one dipole antenna tilted ata predetermined angle. The dipole antenna is just one of the manypossible examples of an antenna exhibiting an asymmetric radiationpattern.

As discussed, the value of RSSI is ideally zero in certainimplementations if a dipole antenna is aiming at the EM source. Incertain implementations when more than one antenna receives RSSI fromthe same source, variations of RSSI can be translated into horizontaltranslations of the EM source on the ground. Logic Module 816 or LogicModule 943 may receive readings from multiple antennas on the drone andtranslate changes of RSSI at different antennas into cinematicrepositioning commands for the drones via predetermined algorithms sothat a fixed relative position between drone and EM source ismaintained, or at least so that the drone maintains a position on saidpreviously described imaginary circumference in the sky.

In certain implementations Antenna 941, e.g. a dipole, is positioned onthe axis of Right Cone 918 having Apex 917. A plurality of dipoleantennas can be strategically positioned on the surface of an idealRight Cone 918, wherein said plurality of dipole antennas has their axisintersecting Apex 917. When Drone 970 is in position and locked on oneEM source, Antenna 941 that is positioned on the axis of Right Cone 918will ideally receive a value of RSSI proximate to zero, while all otherantennas that are strategically positioned on the surface of Right Cone918, will ideally receive a value of RSSI that is approximately thesame. For example, said antennas can be equally spaced on the surface ofthe cone. When the emitting source of EM radiation moves away from itsideal relative position, different antennas will experience variationsin the value of RSSI. Antenna 941 will also experience an increase ofRSSI, while different antennas on the surface of Right Cone 918 willexperience either a decrease or an increase of values of RSSI from anemitting source on the ground. The derivative of RSSI values atdifferent antennas can be used by Logic Module 943 to infer spatialcorrections so that Axis 902 maintains its aiming toward theelectromagnetic source.

In certain implementations, spatial corrections of the drone can besupplemented by cinematic data such as accelerations and decelerationsor position data that are transmitted from the EM source item (e.g. UE165) to the drone directly via Link 901 or indirectly via Link 903 andLink 981 when the EM source is equipped with a GPS or a Compass or aGyroscope or an Inertial Navigation Module or another module. Anycinematic translation of EM source on the ground may translate into anequivalent cinematic translation of drone on a plane at a predeterminedaltitude.

In other implementations, video recognition algorithms can aid thelock-in functionality when the target on the ground is recognized andfollowed via algorithms that use image data. As discussed, an RSSI valuereceived by antennas on the drone can be used to derive a value of thedistance from the EM source by using, for example, the iBeacon standardthat translates RSSI data in distance values.

In certain implementations, the elevation of the drone can be maintainedvia a radar system. In other implementations via a barometer, in otherby means of combinations of other different techniques such as, e.g.,readings of RSSI at Antenna 941 and Antennas 990.

In certain implementations, certain functionalities of Drone 850 orDrone 970 can be handed over to user of UE 165 for a certain period andat certain conditions. For example, user of UE 165 can rent the usage ofthe drone for a certain period and/or within a predetermined area. Userof UE 165 can be handed over certain functionalities of the drone suchas the possibility of controlling its cinematic or the possibility ofcontrolling its sensors and/or its digital media modules (e.g., videocamera's aiming controls, zooming or other) by Administrator 931. Thiscan be done automatically or via a manual handover.

In certain implementations, drones may come equipped with modules thatcan be used by the user to perform certain functionalities. Modules canbe interchangeable and can be used for different purposes.

Examples of modules are:

-   -   a chemical or organic pesticides module used for spraying in        agriculture;    -   a medical equipment module for providing life-saving equipment        as e.g., a heart attack first aid equipment;    -   a human transportation module so that a user of UE 165 can        request transportation from its present position or future        position to another predetermined position; in this case Drone        970 or 850 may receive user of UE 165's position via Link 981,        approach UE 165, e.g., via one of the homing methods based on EM        signals, load user of UE 165, and finally transport user to a        predetermined destination;    -   a payload transportation module system that will carry items        from one user to another user.

The examples given are by no means exhaustive.

In one implementation, Drone 970 is controlled and/or dispatched eitherautomatically or manually via inputs, parameters, and/or instructionscoming from Drone Administrator 931 equipment. Many of the dispatch andcontrol processes can be automatic so that Drone Administrator 931 canalso be a server storing a series of algorithms and instructions in amemory that are executed by a processor that perform tasks and routinesunder the constraint of parameters and inputs of a human administratorand/or various data and sensors. For example, if the weather conditionsare prohibitive (i.e., outside of preset parameter and boundaries) forthe flying of a drone, the request for the services of Drone 970 by theuser of UE 165 can be denied or delayed.

A service server can be tasked with keeping track of data pertaining tooriginating user, drone data, destination user data, instant conditionsand more. Drone 970 can provide data to Drone Administrator 931 and/orservice server concerning its mileage range, battery levels, weatherconditions, any data collected by drone sensors, faults indications,payload weight, and more. These data can be transmitted via Link 981, BS135, Cloud 905 and Links 904 and can be used by a server service tocontrol Drone 970 and satisfy safety and operational requirements. Cloud905 is representative of networks of computing equipment and/orcommunication equipment that may enable the communications needed forthe services herein described.

In one implementation concerning the delivery of a package to anotheruser, the user of UE 165 who wants to deliver a package in town mayrequest the delivery services of Drone 970 to Drone Administrator 931.Once the request is initiated, the position of originating equipment (UE165) and destination equipment (UE 160) are communicated to the deliverysystem. The delivery system using all or part of the data that areavailable may task one of a fleet of drones to perform the service. Userof destination equipment UE 160 may be alerted that a drone will bedelivering a payload at approximately time T. Availability ofdestination user may be requested to initiate the delivery procedure. Insome implementations, user of destination equipment may indicate a timeand/or a location of availability and the loading, transportation, anddelivery operations may be synchronized and scheduled to fulfilldestination user's window and place of availability. In otherimplementations, originating user may be dictating the conditions andparameters that will primarily influence the loading and deliveryoperations. In other implementations both originating user anddestination user may influence said loading and delivering operations.

In certain implementations, originating user and destination user can bethe same. For example, a husband needs a drone to retrieve car keys fromhis wife at home since he lost his car keys. Drone 970 can be taskedwith 1) approach wife's location, e.g. home, 2) be loaded by wife withkeys, and 3) fly to recipient husband location to deliver a copy of thekeys. The person skilled in the art will understand that thepossibilities and case scenarios are endless. A drone administrator mayreceive a request for service, configure Drone 970 for said specificservice and indicate to the system the availability of Drone 970 forsaid service. In certain implementations, the owner of the drone and theadministrator of the service may not even be the same.

An owner of a standardized drone may indicate its availability forrental of the drone to perform predetermined services in an area aroundwhere the owner of the drone lives. The administrator may simplyactivate the drone for performing services within its fleet of dronesfor rent. Owner of drone may perform drone maintenance and indicatedrone availability and drone's data.

An exemplary flow of information for a delivery service may be similarto the following.

User of UE 165 will request a delivery service of a payload to the userof UE 160.

Data on the current location of the user of UE 160, Drone 970 and UE 165will be used to task a potential drone that is currently located in aconvenient location and has the capability and range to perform theservice.

User of UE 160 will be alerted of the potential delivery at his currentlocation and will be asked to confirm time/location availability.

User of UE 165 will be alerted of the potential pick up at his currentlocation and will be asked to confirm time/location availability.

Once confirmed, Drone 970 could be approaching UE 165 position for pickup via GPS coordinates or other techniques. During the final approach,Drone 970 could be using EM homing techniques toward UE 165 as describedin the current patent application. The drone may maintain its positionon Axis 902 and may descend. If Drone 970 is unable to receive EM signalfrom UE 165, Drone 970 may signal to the system and to UE 165 itsinability to receive EM signal from UE 165.

The person skilled in the art will understand that EM homing procedurescan be optional and landing may occur relying on traditional navigationtechniques such as GPS. One of the reasons for Drone 970 inability toreceive EM signal from UE 165 could be that UE 165 is located indoor.The user of UE 165 may be signaled that he needs to move outdoor (on abalcony for example) to be able to load Drone 970 with a payload. Oncethe drone is loaded, user of UE 165 may signal to the system that Drone970 is ready to fly to the location of user of UE 160 (receiving user).

In certain implementations, with a user-to-user package transportationsystem, the system may alert originating user and/or destination user ofthe approaching of Drone 970 to their current position so thatoriginating user and/or destination user can position themselves in anopen space for activating or facilitating homing procedures toward theirrespective User Equipment. The homing may consist, e.g., in GPS basedand/or EM-based techniques.

In certain implementations, the homing procedure can be hybrid. OnceDrone 970 is positioned in a homing position as compared to UE 165, forexample, a position that minimizes RSSI at antenna 941, Drone 970 mayinitiate and compute descending trajectory to keep maintaining thereception of RSSI by Antenna 941 to the minimum.

In certain implementations, once destination user holds Drone 970 in apredetermined manner and/or it senses it is safe to do so, itspropellers may turn off automatically. In another implementation, UE 165may direct to Drone 970 to perform a vertical landing on the ground oncehe determines it is safe to do so.

In certain implementations, Drone 970 and/or users of a service such asthe one described above can be paired with Landing Pads 950 or LandingPad 960 instead of utilizing user equipment for the final approach.

Landing Pad 960 can be equipped with Antennas 944, 945, 946, 948 and/orantenna 947. These emitting antennas can be perpendicular to plane XZ.By comparing the RSSI received from emitting antennas in Landing Pad 960and 970, by antennas installed on Drone 970, such as Antenna 941 andAntennas 990, Logic Module 943 can compute a descending trajectory sothat Drone 970 can land on Pad 949.

In one alternative implementation, Landing Pad 950 can be equipped withAntennas 910, 909, 911, 908. These emitting antennas may form Angle 914with plane XZ. By comparing the RSSI received by antennas on Drone 970,Logical Module 943 can compute a descending trajectory so that Drone 970can land on Pad 920.

These are just examples of active landing pads that can be used toprovide homing capabilities to drones that are equipped with one or moreantennas and a logic module capable of deriving directions from RSSImeasurements at said one or more antennas. The person skilled in the artwill understand that many different techniques can be used by a drone tonavigate from and to preset destinations and waypoints and to approachlanding pads and/or users. Examples of techniques are inertialnavigation, map comparisons, photography-based techniques, GPS basedtechniques and others such as inertial techniques. In oneimplementation, the techniques described in FIG. 5A and/or FIG. 5 B canbe used by Drone 970 to navigate between users or between locations. Forexample, a network of Wi-Fi access points may cover a whole city and adrone could be able to move from one access point to the next accesspoint without the constant need of precise location data. The sameexample can be used for a network of users emitting, for example,Bluetooth signals. Drone 970 may be able to fly from one originatinguser to a destination user via intermediate users using in a “breadcrumb trail” that can be provided and updated by the system as describedin FIG. 5 A and FIG. 5 B.

In certain implementations said Drone 970 might include a 360 degreesvideo camera that may consist of one array of N cameras covering a360-degree angle whose outputs can be digitally merged and synchronized.

Examples of airborne sensors that can be carried by a drone can includesensors measuring and analyzing light, sound, pollution, chemicalcomponents, and others. In certain implementations, the arms hosting thepropellers of Drone 970 may host Antennas 990 that can be used forpositioning and/or homing purposes. In certain implementations, saidarms are laying in a horizontal plane such as plane ZX. In that case,Angle 991 that measures the angle between arms of Drone 970 and thevertical axis of the drone is 90 degrees. In another implementation, thedrone's arms can be movable and Angle 991 can assume values that aregreater or smaller than 90 degrees. In certain implementations, Angle991 may be dependent on the flying altitude of the drone and can beadjusted to enable the best performances in calculating RSSI values forhoming and navigational purposes.

The person skilled in the art will understand that, for example, bychanging the value of Angle 991 that is the angle at which Antennas 990are positioned on the drone's arms with respect to the vertical axis ofthe drone, some of Antennas 990 will receive a higher RSSI value ascompared to other Antennas 990, depending from their relative position,as compared to UE 165, UE 160 or Landing Pads 950 and 960. Thesedifferences and variations in RSSI at different antennas can be used tofeed positioning and orientation algorithms.

FIG. 10 represents another embodiment of one aspect of the presentinvention that exemplifies a few concepts where common householdappliances are the target devices. The same inventive concepts canlogically be extended to other current and future appliances as well asto any device or machine that is connected to the internet such as,e.g., connected cars.

In certain implementations, UE 165 and UE 160 may adopt withoutlimitations the concepts that are described in FIG. 3, where, e.g.,dipoles are orthogonally positioned into a smartphone so that when atleast one dipole receives an RSSI that is proximate to zero or below apredetermined threshold, and another dipole an RSSI value that is abovea predetermined threshold, an algorithm can determine that UE 165 and/orUE 160 are aiming at, for example, Connected TV 1010 on Axis 1008 orAxis 1007. In certain implementations, Connected TV 1010 is associatedto EM Source 1006 that emits a signal ID representative of the ConnectedTV 1010. In certain implementations, if UE 165 is aiming at Connected TV1010 for at least predetermined period, UE 165 and Connected TV 1010 areautomatically paired and UE 165 may either receive information aboutConnected TV 1010 or can download a menu so that certain functionalitiesthat are pertinent to Connected TV 1010 can be controlled by user of UE165 until Connected TV 1010 and UE 165 are paired.

In another implementation or scenario, the pairing may not be automaticbut it may occur according to predetermined algorithms. UE 165 maydetermine that multiple connected devices are aligned with Axis 1008 andit may represent to the user a list of possible devices with which topair via Visual Indicator 1004. In a certain implementation, user maychoose which of the devices to pair within a predetermined period.

In another implementation, once UE 165 determines it is aiming at EMSource 1006, it may send a request to Connected TV 1010 via Link 1001for pairing. Connected TV 1010 may represent via a Visual Indicator 1005a code that user of UE 165 may have to punch in to enable the pairing.This can be used to avoid connected objects to be inadvertently ormaliciously paired with user equipment that should not be paired, forexample from an adjacent room of a Hotel. In certain implementations,once a pairing has occurred, for example with UE 165, EM Source 1006 maycease to transmit so that other UEs, e.g. UE 160, cannot pair with thesame connected object until UE 165 un-pairs from Connected TV 1010 andEM Source 1006 resumes its transmission. In other implementations, aconnected object can be paired with multiple UEs.

The un-pairing may occur according to many algorithms. In oneimplementation, a device can remain paired only for a predeterminedperiod, and then a pairing must occur again by aligning the device withthe EM source so that the system of antennas in the device complies witha predetermined combination of threshold RSSI for the system. In anotherimplementation, a manual un-pairing via UE 165 may provoke suchun-pairing.

In another implementation, the un-pairing may occur because anotherdevice takes over the control of the connected object. This may occurbecause, e.g., UE 160 has a higher status as compared to UE 165.Hierarchies of users and equipment can be created so that “Ubi MajorMinor Cessat” (where there is the major, the minor becomes negligible)and the lower status apparatus will un-pair when a higher statusapparatus asks for its paring to the same connected object. In certainimplementations, the un-pairing may occur via the same procedure withwhich the pairing has occurred, namely the alignment of the device tothe EM source for a predetermined period.

In certain implementations, when a device is paired, there is no needfor alignment of the device to the EM source by the user to receiveinformation or to control the connected objects. In otherimplementations, the alignment can be a prerequisite for sendingcommands and/or receiving information from the connected object.

In certain implementations, the first time a UE is paired to a connectedobject such as Connected TV 1010 or Connected Refrigerator 1018,software can be downloaded to UE 160 or UE 165 so that, for example, theinteraction with these connected objects is sped up in the future havingUE already downloaded drivers or interaction menus. Said software maystay on said user equipment permanently or only for a predeterminedperiod unless a new pairing or a new interaction with the connectedobject does not prolong said permanence of said software on UE. In otherimplementations, interaction needed software may already be present insaid user equipment so that after the pairing there is no need fordownloading additional software or data specific to said connectedobject.

Connected Refrigerator 1018, is also an example of a connected objectthat can be paired, at least temporarily with UE 165, 160 or 155 and mayallow users of said equipment to receive information or control saidconnected objects.

In certain implementations, the pairing and un-pairing can beinstantaneous so that, e.g., by orienting UE 160 toward either ConnectedTV 1010 on Axis 1007 or by orienting UE 160 toward ConnectedRefrigerator 1018 on Axis 1011, different menus and information willappear that will concern either the connected TV or the connectedrefrigerator according to the orientation of UE. In certainimplementations, devices will not be paired or un-paired according toorientation of UE but software running locally on UE 160, will representthe different controlling menus according to which connected object isaimed at without the need to send any information or request via Link1002 to change the representation of the menu on UE 160 from TV toRefrigerator until there is an actual need to communicate with Server100.

As a matter of illustration hereinafter follows an exemplary flow ofdata, instructions, and commands to allow the 1) pairing, 2) usage and3) un-pairing of UE 160 with a connected appliance such as ConnectedRefrigerator 1018. The person skilled in the art will understand thatsome steps can be skipped, modified or added to augment the usability,security and/or safety of the following embodiment.

User of UE 160 activates a software application to activate thealgorithms for the EM direction-detection via antennas strategicallypositioned in said hardware.

User aims UE 160 toward EM Source 1009 on Axis 1011. If UE 160determines that UE 160 is positioned for at least a predetermined periodon axis 1011, UE 160 may send a request to Server 100 via Links 1002,143, 144 and Core Network/Internet Cloud 130 to download software and/ordata to be able to control/receive information concerning the connectedobject (Connected Refrigerator 1018). Once the software/data have beendownloaded and Server 100 has given permissions to UE 160 receiveinformation or to control Connected Refrigerator 1018, in thisimplementation, there is no need for UE 160 to keep aiming toward Axis1011. UE 160 may now be able to control or receive information about theconnected object unless certain conditions intervene, for example,another UE is requesting the control of the connected object. In certainimplementations, the pairing can be multiple, i.e. multiple UEs could beable to control or receive information pertaining to the same connectedobject.

To cause the un-pairing, the user of UE 160 may aim again its devicetoward Axis 1011 and could be prompted to confirm the un-pairing via avisual prompt. In certain implementations, Connected Refrigerator 1018may also un-pair from UE 160 if UE 160 pairs with another connectedobject. Server 100 may trigger the new pairing with the new connectedobject and the un-pairing from the old connected object.

In certain implementations, the same connected object can be paired tomore than one device. For example, UE 160 and UE 165 can be paired tothe same Connected TV 1010. Visual Indicator 1005, both on Connected TV1010 and Connected Refrigerator 1018, can produce indications of whatcommands are produced and/or indicate the user who is responsible forthose commands. As discussed, in the case of multiple pairings certainhierarchies and protocols can be followed so that higher-level users mayhave a higher influence over connected objects as compared to lowerlevel users.

Many of the techniques applied to mediate the influence of users overconnected objects are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,489,119, 8,909,256,9,148,484, 9,473,582 of the same inventor. They are incorporated byreference in their entirety. The person skilled in the art willunderstand that the same disclosures and patented concepts can beadvantageously applied in some embodiments of the present invention.

A technique to associate a connected object to a user profile isdescribed in US 2015-0199547 A1, so, for example, a smartphone oraugmented reality glasses can be working according to preferences,settings, permissions, and hierarchies that are associated to anindividual user who is wearing or holding said smartphone and/or eyewearaccording to one of the many embodiments that are described in theabove-mentioned patent application.

The patent application is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 10 describes two cases of house appliances. A connectedRefrigerator and a connected TV. The emitting EM source that isassociated with connected appliances or connected objects can be turnedon or off manually or according to various algorithms and parameters.For example, a movement sensor may sense that a user is in the proximityof Connected TV 1010 and can activate EM Source 1006 and/or EM Source1009 for at least a predetermined period. In other implementations, theEM source can be activated according to other parameters. For example,if EM Source is part of a Connected Car, said EM source may emit only ifthe car (connected object) is moving or is active (e.g., engine running)or according other parameters. The person skilled in the art willunderstand that many different scenarios are possible for differentconnected objects and purposes. For example, EM Source may startemitting only if receives information about surrounding devices havingthe capability to pair with them. For example, let us imagine that in astreet there are contemporaneously connected taxi and UE 165. Server 100may receive information concerning the position of said UE 165 and saidconnected taxi. One algorithm may determine that user of UE 165 istrying to pair with the connected taxi and EM source on connected taximay start emitting. This can be determined via one or more of thefollowing methods, alone or in combination with others.

UE 165 may signal via Link 1001 that a pairing (directional finding)application has been activated in the proximity of connected taxi.

UE 165 may signal that it is held steady by the user horizontally on ahorizontal plane (signaling the user is aiming at something with hisUE).

An inertial measurement unit and/or a gyroscope signal that UE 165 (orUE 155) is worn, handled or carried.

On the other hand, the direction-finding capability of a UE can also beactivated locally according to local software that detects user activityin relation to said UE. For example a software in UE 165 may determinethat the positioning of UE 165 is quasi-horizontal (as illustrated inFIG. 3) for at least a predetermined period, and/or that thetouching/holding by user of said UE 165 corresponds to a predeterminedalgorithm by means, for example, of Touch Sensor 330.

The above-mentioned methods can activate the direction-findingcapability of UE and/or an EM emission of a nearby EM Source.

An exemplary implementation with a connected car may consist in 1) auser aiming his UE toward said car (e.g. a taxi that is, e.g., withinthe visual range of said user), 2) receiving information about therating of the driver, 3) requesting the services of the taxi so that thedriver receives a position and/or a picture of the requesting user.

In a forward-looking scenario, when cars are capable of autonomousdriving will be street legal, an implementation with a connected &autonomous car may consist in 1) a user aiming his UE toward saidconnected & autonomous car (e.g. within the visual range of said user),2) initiating a request for services to said connected & autonomous carto approach via autonomous driving said user by communicating to saidconnected & autonomous car user's current position and user's desireddestination.

The person skilled in the art will understand that many of the conceptsdescribed above can be implemented when the user equipment is eyewearsuch as UE 155 that is connected to Server 100 via Cloud 905. Cloud 905is representative of networks of computing equipment and communicationequipment that may enable the services and communications needed forthose services herein described. For example, UE 155 can connect to asmartphone that can link UE 155 to Server 100.

FIG. 11 represents one possible embodiment where UE 155 is eyewear andcan be used, e.g., at least to control the switching “on and off” of aconnected Light Bulb 1101 or to receive information and data related toan object. The person skilled in the art will understand that this basicexample is representative of a universe of applications ranging fromcontrolling settings of appliances, such as thermostats and TVs, tocontrol blinds, open doors, operate elevators and much more. Manyexamples are possible and the very basic example of a light bulb is justa very basic illustrative example.

In this exemplary version of the AR glasses, Lenses 1120 are regularglass lenses and the glasses can be used both to control functionalitiesof connected objects and/or to receive information about connectedobjects and/or unconnected objects.

In certain implementations, a Mini Display 1300 can be added in thefield of view of UE 155. Said Mini Display 1300 can be attached to Lever1301 that is attached to a hinge of UE 155. Said hinge can be movable orfixed. If it is movable, in one implementation, said Mini Display 1300can be raised and lowered into the field of view of UE 155. If it ismovable, data connectors on Lever 1301 will be aligned with those on thehinge of UE 155 when Mini Display 1300 is in position and in the fieldof view of UE.

In some implementations, when a visual augmentation is available, UE 155may provide an acoustic indication to the user to prompt said user tolower Mini Display 1300 into its field of view. Said acoustic indicationcan be enabled or disabled.

A first example is about an unconnected object.

Augmentation may also consist of audible data that are conveyed to uservia Audio Modules 1102. In some implementations, audible data isinformation about people or objects to help, for example, users who arevisually impaired. For example, some users may broadcast a Bluetoothsignal with an ID that is associated to their name via their smartphoneor an iBeacon wearable badge so that when a user who is wearing UE 155is looking (aiming) at those users, he will be able to hear, via AudioModules 1102, the name of said user or other information associated tosaid user via Link 1171, 1170 and so on up to Memory 102. In otherimplementations, an EM Source can be in connectivity mode and deliverthe content to UE 155′ user only when UE 155 is aligned to said EMSource, e.g. 1182. This can be accomplished by UE 155 signaling toServer 100 that it is aligned with EM source and Server 100 directing EMSource to deliver the content.

In certain implementations, UE 155 may store content received by UE 155but it may deliver it to the user of UE 155 only when UE 155 is alignedwith the EM source and/or fulfills some other conditions. A possiblescenario is this. A user entering a room will start collecting IDs dataof nearby iBeacons via his UE 155. Those IDs will be reported to Server100 that will send the content associated with those IDs already to UE155. Only when user of UE 155 fulfills the directionality condition, UE155 will deliver the content to user. This is a sort of pre-fetchingfrom Server 100 to ensure a better user experience. In otherimplementations, the content can retrieved locally directly fromemitting objects in connectivity mode.

An exemplary scenario can be provided with objects that can berecognized by a visually impaired person via the directional-basedtechnology coupled with audio augmentation. In one implementation, thescenario is a museum and the glasses can be used to provide anexplanatory audio file about Art 1181 to a visitor whenever he aims hiswearable equipment UE 155 at EM Source 1182 in a museum. In thisimplementation, Art 1181 is an unconnected object. As discussed withreference for example to FIG. 6, the audio file that can be received atUE 155 about Art 1181 does not need to be the same for all users. Forexample, the audio file that is played by UE 155 can be in the languageof the user according to a user profile that is stored in Memory 102.

Returning to the example of Light Bulb 1101, in one implementation, saidaudible data that is received via Link 1170 and 1171 can be instructionson how to operate the appliance that is in line of sight of a userwearing UE 155. In certain implementations, EM source that is associatedwith Light Bulb 1101 is placed nearby the appliance such as, forexample, EM Source 1109. Visual Indicator 1111 may provide visualfeedback and/or instructions to user when UE 155 is paired with LightBulb 1101.

In other implementations, connected objects and EM sources are notplaced in the same place. For example, Light Bulb 1101 can be controlledand operated when user aims with his user equipment at Control Panel1193 that is hosting EM Source 1198 and Visual Indicator 1190. In thiscase, user of UE 155 may not aim at the appliance but to Control Panel1193 and it may receive visual feedback or instructions on how tooperate the appliance via Visual Indicator 1190 or, as discussed, viaacoustic feedback delivered via Link 1171.

As a basic example of the technology, here follows one of the manypossible logical flows on how to dim and/or turn on and off Light Bulb1101.

User aims UE 155 toward EM Source 1109 for a predetermined period. Asystem of antennas with asymmetric radiation patterns receives EM energyfrom EM Source 1109. If said system of antennas receives RSSI valuesfrom said source that are below and/above predetermined thresholds itmay proceed to the next steps.

UE 155 via Links 1171, 1170, 143, 144 communicates to Server 100 that itis requesting control of Light Bulb 1101 by communicating the IDreceived by EM Source 1109. If allowed by permissions and hierarchicalrules an algorithm will allow the pairing of UE 155 with Light Bulb1101. This pairing can be communicated to user via Visual Indicator 1111by means of Links 144, 143, 1172, 1173 so that, for example, a light mayturn from red to green for at least a predetermined period when thepairing is active.

In certain implementations, to control Light Bulb 1101 software runningon UE 155 must at least initially determine that UE is aimed at EMSource 1109. If said software determines that said condition of initialalignment is satisfied it may translate up-down and left-right movementsof the head into commands that are sent to Server 100 first and in theend to Light Bulb 1101 through Links 1171, 1170, 143, 144, 1172, 1173.

As an example, an Up movement of the head (i.e. UE goes from alignmentwith EM Source to UP position) that is recorded by Compass/Gyroscope 476may correspond to a command to Light Bulb 1101 to turn on. Vice versa, adown movement from alignment to Down position may correspond to acommand to Light Bulb 1101 to turn off. The dimming of the light maycorrespond to movements to the left or to the right of UE 155. Theperson skilled in the art and certainly a UX-UI expert will understandthat the possibilities are numerous. For example, visual Indicator 1111,e.g., a monitor can display submenus so that the movements of UE 155will allow the navigation into complex menus. Voice commands can beintegrated into UE 155 so that, e.g., when a voice command is coupledwith the alignment of UE 155 to an EM Source linked to a connecteddevice said connected device would obey to the voice commands of theuser. Voice commands may also work after the pairing between connectedobjects and UE without the need for alignment. Visual Indicator 1111 mayindicate the user that is paired.

In one implementation, the user may aim at Light Bulb 1101 for apredetermined period, user may receive a green visual indication thatlight bulb is ready to receive a command, the available commands can bevisualized via Visual Indicator 1111 and user can speak one of saidavailable commands. Said command may travel from UE 155 to Server 100,converted from a voice command into an actuator command and travel againfrom Server 100 to Light Bulb 1101 so that for example Light Bulb 1101may turn off when user pronounces the word “off”.

A more complex example is an elevator equipped with Control Panel 1193.Visual Indicator 1190 may provide visual feedback that UE 155 is paired(EM 155 is aligned or has been aligned to Source 1198) and that floors 1through 10 are available as voice commands. User pronounces “ten” andsaid command will translate into a command for the elevator to move tothe tenth floor. In certain implementations, Visual Indicator 1190and/or Visual Indicator 1111 may be integrated or substituted with anaudio indicator. The person skilled in the art will understand thatvisual feedback, options, menus, can be substituted and/or integratedwith audio indicia to benefit people with vision disabilities.

As discussed, the possibilities for implementations are numerous and theexamples are just explanatory samples. For example, Server 100 does notneed to be remote or even exist. Connected objects, unconnected objectsand/or system intelligence can be placed in the vicinity of each other,for example a plurality of modules inside an elevator.

Voice recognition, movement recognition, decisional algorithms, canoccur and be distributed according to many different implementations.For example, the voice command can be translated into an actuationcommand in Server 100, UE 155, Control Panel 1703 or elsewhere.Software, profiles, permissions, restrictions, algorithms, processingfunctionalities and others can be distributed across the system from UEto Server 100 or concentrated in a few modules within the same hardware.

Permissions to operate or receive information about connected objects orunconnected objects (as in the case of Art 1181), modalities ofoperations of said connected/unconnected objects, hierarchies ofoperation, personalization of menus or commands or feedbacks can allderive from profiles associated to users. For example, not all connectedobjects can be available to all users. Modalities of interaction,permissions or information can be different for different users. One wayto associate UE 155 with a user profile is described in PatentApplication US 2015-0199547 A1 that is incorporated by reference herein.

Let us imagine for example that the user is now in the proximity of anunconnected object such as Art 1181. UE 155 has been paired with saiduser' profile. When UE 155 is aiming at EM Source 1182, UE 155 may sendto Server 100 both an ID related to Art 1181 and an ID related to saiduser. A datagram contained in Memory 102 may associate settings,permissions, or preferences of said Art 1181. If one of the preferencesin the profile is, for example, the German language, Server 100 willselect a German audio file to be played via said Audio Modules 1102. Indifferent implementations, for the audio file to be played, UE 155 mayor may not need to maintain its aiming toward EM Source 1182 once thepairing has been established. Emitting objects might be part of groupsso that, for example, once permissions and preferences have beenestablished with one emitting object may be established with all of theemitting objects in the group, for example all the emitting objectsassociated with all the artworks in a museum. Also, as discussed before,once an authorization or pairing has been established with one of theemitting objects of the group a pre-fetching can occur so that UE 155will download all or part of the content associated with other emittingobjects in the group.

The same concept can be applied concerning session areas and events. UE155 may pre-fetch content associated with users who are associated witha session area or to an event so that the delay between aiming UE 155 atan EM Source and outputting of the augmentation is minimized. In otherimplementations, the content can be pre-fetched by using position ofusers and/or emitting sources so that relevant is already stored on UE155 before being eventually outputted. The same concept can be appliedusing IDs of surrounding emitting objects such as Bluetooth sources ofnearby users. UE 155 may preload content associated with those sourcesfor a smoother user experience. UE 155 may also provide indications touser on where to aim with his head or Smartphone to output that contentonce it has been downloaded, e.g., left, right, up, down indications.

In other implementations, in the elevator example, when the user aims atEM Source 1198 in Control Panel 1193, only permitted floors arepresented as an option to the user who is paired to UE 155. In otherimplementations, the aiming to EM Source 1198 for at least a certainperiod may result in an automatic command, e.g., “close door”.

FIG. 12 describes at least a method for implementing several embodimentsof the present invention that are based on the reception by aconstellation of antennas of an EM signal associated with a connectedobject. Said method can be enabled by instructions stored on one or morememory modules. Said memory modules may comprise instructionsfor—facilitating receiving an EM signal from an electromagnetic sourceassociated to a first hardware apparatus by a plurality of antennasembedded into a second hardware apparatus, wherein said plurality ofantennas exhibit an asymmetric radiation pattern, 1202;—facilitatingdetermining via said second hardware apparatus as a result of saidreceiving said EM signal from said electromagnetic source associated tosaid first hardware apparatus by said plurality of antennas whether aspatial condition is satisfied by said second hardware apparatus, 1203;and—upon fulfillment of said spatial condition, at least temporarily, bysaid second hardware apparatus, facilitating enabling at least onefunctionality selected form the group consisting of: an exchange ofinformation between said first hardware apparatus and said secondhardware apparatus, the execution of commands by said second hardwareapparatus, the execution of commands by said first hardware apparatus,the reception of information associated to said first hardwareapparatus, the reception of information associated to said secondhardware apparatus, a pairing between said first hardware apparatus andsaid second hardware apparatus, and combinations thereof, 1204.

FIG. 13 describes at least a method for implementing several embodimentsof the present invention to influence the positioning of a movableobject according to algorithms and commands. In certain implementations,the method can be used to maintain a fixed relative position between twoobjects. Said method can be enabled by instructions stored on one ormore memory modules. Said memory modules may comprise instructionsfor—facilitating receiving an EM signal from an electromagnetic sourceassociated to a first hardware apparatus by a plurality of antennasembedded into a second hardware apparatus, wherein said plurality ofantennas exhibit an asymmetric radiation pattern, 1302;—facilitatingdetermining via said second hardware apparatus as a result of saidreceiving said EM signal from said electromagnetic source by saidplurality of antennas whether a spatial condition is satisfied by saidsecond hardware apparatus, wherein said second hardware apparatusincorporates mechanical modules enabling the spatial repositioning ofsaid second hardware apparatus, 1303; and—facilitating enabling at leastone functionality selected form the group consisting of: a pairingbetween said first hardware apparatus and said second hardwareapparatus, an exchange of information between said first hardwareapparatus and said second hardware apparatus, the execution ofpositioning commands by said second hardware apparatus, the maintainingof a set relative spatial position of said first hardware apparatus andsaid second hardware apparatus, the homing of said second hardwareapparatus toward said first hardware apparatus, the capturing of digitalmedia data related to said first hardware apparatus by said secondhardware apparatus, and combinations thereof, 1304.

FIG. 14 describes at least a method for implementing several embodimentsof the present invention to navigate from and to emitting objects usingat least one directional finding technique. Said method can be enabledby instructions stored on one or more memory modules. Said memorymodules may comprise instructions for:

-   -   facilitating determining a breadcrumb sequence of emitting        objects ending with a destination emitting object as a result of        a query related to said destination emitting object and        associated to a first hardware apparatus, 1401; and—facilitating        producing directional indicia at said first hardware apparatus        wherein said directional indicia are obtained from receiving an        EM signal from at least one electromagnetic source in said        breadcrumb sequence of emitting objects by a plurality of        antennas embedded into said first hardware apparatus, wherein        said plurality of antennas in said first hardware apparatus        exhibits an asymmetric radiation pattern and said breadcrumb        sequence of emitting objects that is ending with a destination        emitting object, is formed by emitting objects selected from the        group consisting of static objects, dynamic objects and        combinations thereof, 1401.

FIG. 15 represents a simplified depiction of the THREE ANTENNA GLASSES1501. The simplified version of the glasses depiction represents theideal case where the radiation pattern for the three antennas isidentical and ideal and the head adsorbs 8 dBs.

This is a very ideal and simplified scenario. In real life, the hardwarecomponents such as processors, cables, and electronic components thatmust be included in the wearable distort and affect the idealdoughnut-shaped radiation patterns of model dipole antennas. Actualantennas do not typically exhibit perfectly shaped doughnut-shaped idealradiation patterns. The person skilled in the art knows that manyfactors do influence the shape of the radiation patterns of antennas andthe reception of EMITTING OBJECT 1503 by the three antennas is inpractice very uneven over a 360 degrees horizontal plane. This isdescribed with reference to FIG. 16 by actual measures of received RSSIat the three antennas over three BLE channels 37, 38, 39.

In one implementation, we can use an exemplary algorithm to detect whenthe glasses aim at EMITTING OBJECT 1503 that is positioned in the fieldof view of the glasses (FRONT) at an angle as described in GRAPH 1502.The field of view spans, e.g., approximately from 345 degrees to theleft to 15 degrees to the right (FRONT or field of view). It can bewider or narrower.

In one implementation we can use this exemplary algorithm.

-   -   EMITTING OBJECT 1503 is in FRONT if        RSSI_(front)>max(RSSI_(left), RSSI_(right))+CentralRange where

RSSI_(front) is the RSSI measured at the front antenna.

RSSI_(left) is the RSSI measured at the left antenna.

RSSI_(right) is the RSSI measured at the right antenna.

CentralRange is a constant value indicating a threshold.

max(RSSI_(left),RSSI_(right)) is the maximum value of RSSI detected ateither left or right antenna.

CentralIndex is introduced to determine which beacon is the centeredbeacon in the presence of multiple emitting beacons.

CentralIndex is defined asCentralIndex=RSSI_(front)−max(RSSI_(left),RSSI_(right))

If CentralIndex is higher than the threshold value, CentralRange thedescribed above outputs that the BLE beacon is in the FRONT sector.

In general, the higher the value of CentralRange and the lower is thepossibility of false positives (false detection of an emitting objectthat is not actually in the field of view/FRONT of the glasses).Generally, the higher the value of CentralRange and the narrower becomesthe field of view angle/FRONT where an EMITTING OBJECT 1503 is detectedin FRONT. GRAPH 1502 represents an arbitrary partition of the 360° anglethat will be used later on to train a Support Vector Machine. Otherpartitions are certainly possible.

In the presence of multiple emitting objects, a comparison betweenabsolute RSSI values can be performed to determine which one is theclosest beacon, assuming that the beacons emit with the same strength.

In general, it is not enough to simply consider absolute RSSI values todetermine the centeredness of a beacon. The environment plays a role inabsorbing or amplifying the receiver Bluetooth signal, thus injectingseveral undesired variability effects into the absolute RSSI value.Specialized literature warns that comparing absolute RSSI values ofdifferent beacons is an inaccurate procedure and may lead to misleadingresults.

The aforementioned algorithm may consider absolute RSSI values only whenmultiple beacons have a similar FrontalIndex. In this case thecomparison between the absolute RSSI_(front) values will lead thevisualizer (hardware dedicated to outputting the emitting objects whendetermined to be placed in a certain sector, such as FRONT) to show theclosest emitting object. If more beacons are located in the field ofview/FRONT but at different distances, the hardware will visualize theclosest one.

Considering the absolute values of RSSI_(front) is often not enough fordetermining which emitting object is the most centered (closest to 0°).On the contrary, by using the FrontalIndex much more accurate resultscan be obtained in terms of orientation. In our experiments settingCentralRange=10 generates good results in terms of detecting whichbeacon is the most centered beacon.

In some implementations such as e.g. breadcrumb navigation orinteresting objects notifications, it is desirable to be able todetermine not only if an emitting object is into the field of view(FRONT) but also in which sector of the GRAPH 1502 an EMITTING OBJECT1503 can be allocated (FRONT, LEFT, RIGHT, BACK or/UNDEFINED). This canbe done with artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques.

GRAPH 1502 represents an arbitrary partition of the 360° angle. Theperson skilled in the art will use graphs in FIG. 16 as a guide inestablishing an appropriate partition of the 360° angle so thatdifferences among the three different antennas can be exploited.

FIG. 16 represents real measurements of RSSI for a real hardwareapparatus of the kind THREE ANTENNA GLASSES 1501. These graphs are builtby measuring the RSSI values at the three antennas (front, right, andleft) at various distances (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12 meters) for BLEchannels 37, 38, 39.

The observation of the graphs suggests that a machine learning algorithmbased on Support Vector Machine and the Hidden Markov Model (Viterbi)can be employed to decide if an EMITTING OBJECT 1503 is located ineither one of these exemplary sectors: Front: [345° to 15° ], Left:[195° to 345° ], Right: [15° 165° ], Undefined: [anything else i.e. backor Undecided].

As discussed, sectors can be selected in different ways (differentpartitions of the 360° angle) and can be used to collect data to train aSupport Vector Machine.

In one implementation, to build the matrices for the algorithm we cancollect and buffer data over a 100 milliseconds window for each of thethree antennas on the three BLE channels 37, 38, 39 by measuring theRSSI values received. If we have data for all three antennas on allthree channels we can provide a sample for the decision algorithm. Thesample is a 6-dimensional vector [l_index37, r_index37, l_index38,r_index38, l_index39, r_index39]. Where:

l_index37=frontRSSI37−leftRSSI37

r_index37=frontRSSI37−rightRSSI37

l_index38=frontRSSI38−leftRSSI38

r_index38=frontRSSI38−rightRSSI38

l_index39=frontRSSI38−leftRSSI38

r_index39=frontRSSI38−rightRSSI38

l_index37 stands for left index (a difference between RSSI values) forchannel 37. The person skilled in the art can simply deduct theremaining acronyms.

FIG. 17 represents the data collected on a bidimensional space for onechannel.

On X-axis we depict l_index while on Y-axis we depict r_index.

The decision algorithm can be determined using Support Vector Machineand Hidden Markov Model concepts.

We can establish four classes such as for example Front: [345° to 15° ],Left: [195° to 345° ], Right: [15° 165° ], Undefined: [anything else].0° represents the EMITTING OBJECT 1503 when it is perfectly in front andin the middle of the field of view.

We can construct four matrixes W having dimensions 1×6 (six values thatcan be calculated by means of a Support Vector Machine and have beentrained by the data collected and associated with the four sectors:Front, Left, Right, Undefined/Back).

These four matrixes W are associated with the four classes: Front, Left,Right, Undefined. The training for the Support Vector Machine can bedone by collecting data in very heterogeneous environments, outdoors,indoors et cetera.

We can multiply said four matrixes W (once they have been determined) bythe instantaneous inputs (a six-dimensional vector X) that are obtainedby the data collected by the antennas.

In one implementation, the algorithm is: WX+C=c, where C is the marginof error and c is the decision whether the input fits one of the fourclasses we are monitoring.

A visualizer may provide an output ONLY when we determine a state otherthan class Undefined.

To avoid false positives (the erroneous allocation of a radiating objectto any of classes Front, Left or Right) we can allocate weights toclasses. For example: Front—0.2, Left—0.2, Right—0.2, Undefined—0.4.

These weights may represent the error margin so that the Undefined classwill be predominant within the subdivision of the hyperspace amongclasses.

To improve the performance we can also employ a Kernel such as an rbf ora poly. The kernel is a mathematical function that adds spaces to avector to better distinguish the points. It is used when the classes arenot linearly separable.

rbf: exp(y∥x−x′∥2) where y is specified

Poly: (y<xx′>)d where d is the degree of the polynomial.

Other model parameters, such as “Penalty Parameter” or “DecisionFunction Shape” can be decided.

The Penalty Parameter is a margin of error, namely the space contiguousto the hyperspace boundary for which the values are not considered.

The Decision Function shape represents the way in which the hyperspaceboundaries are decided. There are generally two ways: ovo(one vs one), eovr (one vs rest).

The predictions of the Support Vector Machine in a window of two secondscan be used as observations for the Hidden Markov Model (HMM).

The states of HMM are F(front), R(right), L(left), U(undefined).

FIG. 18 represents some exemplary Hidden Markov Model parameters.

X (observable states)=[f l r u]

Z (hidden states)=[F L R U]

(start probability vector)=[0.1, 0.1, 0.1, 0.7]

A (Transition Probability Matrix) 1802

Θ_(i) (Probability of an Observable Matrix) 1801

Transition Probability Matrix Design 1803 represents the probability ofswitching from one state to another within [F(front), R(right), L(left),U(undefined)].

FIG. 19 represents four schemes for the observed probability.

These four schemes summarize the Θ_(i) (Probability of an ObservableMatrix) 1801. In probability and statistics, a realization, observation,or observed value, of a random variable, is the value that is actuallyobserved (what has actually happened).

Using the Viterbi algorithm we can determine the chain of states over atwo seconds window. The last state detected after a two seconds windowhas elapsed can be used as the output for the algorithm that will be oneof these states: [F(front), R(right), L(left), U(undefined)]. F(front),R(right), L(left) indications can be provided to the user indicatingthat the radiating object is most likely in one of these sectors.

U(undefined) comprises the back sector and can be defined as anythingelse that does not belong to the F(front), R(right) or L(left) classes.In one implementation it can be ignored by the user since it will notproduce any output.

In certain implementations or situations, the user may want to force thealgorithm to produce an output. For example, a user might intentionallyand knowingly be aiming the wearable glasses toward a radiating sourcethat he knows or suspects being part of the system. The radiating sourcecould be, e.g., a person having a cellular phone with Bluetooth inactive mode. In optimal conditions, such as e.g., absence of multipath,the algorithm could and should automatically output content associatedwith that cell phone or cause the glasses to pair with an IoT orradiating object (such as a Bluetooth lamp) that is positioned at 0°.Because of thresholds the outputting might not occur in order to preventfalse positives.

However, the user can force the system to perform a best-effort routineand force the providing of content associated with a radiating object orthe pairing with a radiating object. One way to force the algorithm toprovide a best-effort output is to provide an input command such as forexample, a voice command (“pair”) or to press a button on the wearablewhen the radiating object is positioned at 0°.

In one implementation of the best effort routine, the command maytrigger the system ranking a whitelist of f_index(es) (front indexes)received by the wearable. The higher ranking f_index of a radiatingobject can be associated with the object positioned at 0°. Theassociation may, in certain implementations, last until the wearable'saccelerometer or gyroscope detects that the head has moved away from theposition in which the command was given.

Embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in software,hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware andapplication logic. The software, application logic and/or hardware mayreside on mobile computer equipment, fixed equipment or servers that maynot always be owned or operated by a single entity. If desired, part ofthe software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on multipleservers and equipment in charge of different processes.

In this patent application, some social networks have been mentioned.The person skilled in the art will understand that these are just a fewof the many possible examples. For example, a service provider who isrunning a service that is implementing at least some of thefunctionalities described in this application may provide the users withthe possibility of creating user profiles within the service.

For example, certain augmentations or functionalities may work only whena user is logged in with a social account such as Match.com (for datingpurposes) or LinkedIn (for professional purposes), or Facebook (forsocial purposes). A service provider may also provide users with thetools and interface for importing the profiles that said users haveformerly created in well-established social networks such as LinkedIn,Facebook, Match and many others, once users' authorizations have beenobtained.

The person skilled in the art will understand that the same hardware canbe reused to perform very different functionalities in differentcircumstances when, e.g., software in Memory 102 associates differentcodes that are wirelessly received by UE 155 with those differentfunctionalities as explained, at least in part, with reference with FIG.6. For example, UE 155 can be used to produce augmentation indicia whenit receives a predetermined code from an emitting object that isassociated with augmentation. UE 155 can be used to control a connectedobject when it receives a predetermined code that is associated withcontrolling a connected object. Once a pairing has been established theconnected object can be controlled via a sequence of logical steps andsub-menus that can be navigated by UE 155. UE 155 can be used to producenavigation indicia when it receives a predetermined code from anemitting object that is associated with navigation. The same can be saidfor a handheld device such as UE 165. The same hardware can produce verydifferent functionalities because of very different software routinesrunning on Server 100 or, at least in part, locally on the userequipment in some implementations.

The person skilled in the art will understand that the “pairing” of twoobjects means the coupling of said objects. Said coupling can berecorded in a location memory in a server and/or in a location memory ineither one or both of those two objects.

In an example embodiment, the application logic, software or aninstruction set is maintained on any one of various conventionalcomputer-readable media. In the context of this application, a“computer-readable medium” may be any media or means that can contain,store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use byor in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice, such as a computer. A computer-readable medium may comprise acomputer-readable storage medium that may be any media or means that cancontain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer.

If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed ina different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, ifdesired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional orcan be combined. As technology advances, new equipment and techniquescan be viable substitutes for the equipment and techniques that havebeen described in this application.

The term “plurality” in this patent application shall mean one or more.

Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independentclaims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations offeatures from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims withthe features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinationsexplicitly set out in the claims. The above-described exemplaryembodiments of the invention should not be viewed as limiting but merelyas explanatory. There are several variations and modifications, whichmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention asdefined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: facilitating receiving an EMsignal from an electromagnetic source associated to a first hardwareapparatus by a plurality of antennas embedded into a second hardwareapparatus, wherein said plurality of antennas exhibit an asymmetricradiation pattern; facilitating determining via said second hardwareapparatus as a result of said receiving said EM signal from saidelectromagnetic source associated to said first hardware apparatus bysaid plurality of antennas whether a spatial condition is satisfied bysaid second hardware apparatus; and facilitating enabling, uponfulfillment of said spatial condition, at least temporarily, by saidsecond hardware apparatus, at least one functionality selected form thegroup consisting of: an exchange of information between said firsthardware apparatus and said second hardware apparatus, the execution ofcommands by said second hardware apparatus, the execution of commands bysaid first hardware apparatus, the reception of information associatedto said first hardware apparatus, the reception of informationassociated to said second hardware apparatus, a pairing between saidfirst hardware apparatus and said second hardware apparatus, andcombinations thereof.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said pairingoccurs automatically after said spatial condition is fulfilled for atleast a predetermined period.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein saidelectromagnetic source associated said first hardware apparatus and saidhardware apparatus are attached.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein saidelectromagnetic source associated said first hardware apparatus and saidhardware apparatus not placed nearby.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinafter said paring has occurred, said second hardware apparatus controlsfunctionalities related to said first apparatus via inputs of agyroscope embedded into said second hardware apparatus that produceoutputs for said first apparatus.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinafter said paring has occurred, said second hardware apparatus controlsfunctionalities related to said first apparatus via voice inputs at saidsecond hardware apparatus that produce command outputs for said firstapparatus.
 7. A computer software system having a set of instructionsstored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium for controlling atleast one general-purpose digital computer in performing desiredfunctions comprising: a set of instructions formed into each of aplurality of modules, each modules comprising: a process forfacilitating receiving an EM signal from an electromagnetic sourceassociated to a first hardware apparatus by a plurality of antennasembedded into a second hardware apparatus, wherein said plurality ofantennas exhibit an asymmetric radiation pattern; facilitatingdetermining via said second hardware apparatus as a result of saidreceiving said EM signal from said electromagnetic source associated tosaid first hardware apparatus by said plurality of antennas whether aspatial condition is satisfied by said second hardware apparatus; and aprocess for facilitating enabling, upon fulfillment of said spatialcondition, at least temporarily, by said second hardware apparatus, atleast one functionality selected form the group consisting of: anexchange of information between said first hardware apparatus and saidsecond hardware apparatus, the execution of commands by said secondhardware apparatus, the execution of commands by said first hardwareapparatus, the reception of information associated to said firsthardware apparatus, the reception of information associated to saidsecond hardware apparatus, a pairing between said first hardwareapparatus and said second hardware apparatus, and combinations thereof.8. The computer software system of claim 7, wherein said pairing occursautomatically after said spatial condition is fulfilled for at least apredetermined period.
 9. The computer software system of claim 7,wherein said electromagnetic source associated said first hardwareapparatus and said hardware apparatus are attached.
 10. The computersoftware system of claim 7, wherein said electromagnetic sourceassociated said first hardware apparatus and said hardware apparatus notplaced nearby.
 11. The computer software system of claim 7, whereinafter said paring has occurred, said second hardware apparatus controlsfunctionalities related to said first apparatus via inputs of agyroscope embedded into said second hardware apparatus that produceoutputs for said first apparatus.
 12. The computer software system ofclaim 7, wherein after said paring has occurred, said second hardwareapparatus controls functionalities related to said first apparatus viavoice inputs at said second hardware apparatus that produce commandoutputs for said first apparatus.
 13. The computer software system ofclaim 7, wherein functionalities of said first hardware apparatus areaffected by a user profile associated to a user of said second hardwareapparatus.
 14. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and atleast one non-transitory computer-readable medium including a computerprogram code; the at least one non-transitory computer-readable mediumand the computer program code configured to, with the at least oneprocessor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:facilitating receiving an EM signal from an electromagnetic sourceassociated to a first hardware apparatus by a plurality of antennasembedded into a second hardware apparatus, wherein said plurality ofantennas exhibit an asymmetric radiation pattern; facilitatingdetermining via said second hardware apparatus as a result of saidreceiving said EM signal from said electromagnetic source associated tosaid first hardware apparatus by said plurality of antennas whether aspatial condition is satisfied by said second hardware apparatus; andfacilitating enabling, upon fulfillment of said spatial condition, atleast temporarily, by said second hardware apparatus, at least onefunctionality selected form the group consisting of: an exchange ofinformation between said first hardware apparatus and said secondhardware apparatus, the execution of commands by said second hardwareapparatus, the execution of commands by said first hardware apparatus,the reception of information associated to said first hardwareapparatus, the reception of information associated to said secondhardware apparatus, a pairing between said first hardware apparatus andsaid second hardware apparatus, and combinations thereof.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein said pairing occurs automatically aftersaid spatial condition is fulfilled for at least a predetermined period.16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said electromagnetic sourceassociated said first hardware apparatus and said hardware apparatus areattached.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said electromagneticsource associated said first hardware apparatus and said hardwareapparatus not placed nearby.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14, whereinafter said paring has occurred, said second hardware apparatus controlsfunctionalities related to said first apparatus via inputs of agyroscope embedded into said second hardware apparatus that produceoutputs for said first apparatus.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14, whereinafter said paring has occurred, said second hardware apparatus controlsfunctionalities related to said first apparatus via voice inputs at saidsecond hardware apparatus that produce command outputs for said firstapparatus.
 20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein functionalities ofsaid first hardware apparatus are affected by a user profile associatedto a user of said second hardware apparatus.